123rd Airlift Wing - Kentucky Air National Guard

09/05/2026

Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group provided key support to exercise Patriot 26 in August, establishing a remote air base to provide disaster-response capabilities not otherwise possible.

For this year’s scenario, groups were called to action at Volk Field, Wisconsin, by request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wake of severe flooding and forest fires.

The structure of the CRG allows the unit to stand up a fully functional air base prior to the arrival of follow-on forces. The group contains many sections that mimic the structure of a typical large wing, including medical personnel, security forces, aerial port, aircraft maintenance and communications.

(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Airman Angelee Barnett)

Read more here:

https://www.123aw.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4591066/kentucky-air-guards-contingency-response-group-provides-key-capabilities-for-pa/

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09/05/2026

Maj. Brent Lasher took command of the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base on July 26, replacing Lt. Col. Matthew Skeens, who has been named commander of the 123rd Force Support Squadron.

Congratulations!

(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Chloe Ochs)

09/04/2026

Lt. Col. Matthew Skeens took command of the 123rd Force Support Squadron during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base on July 26, replacing Lt. Col. Joshua Jaburg, who has been named deputy commander of the 123rd Mission Support Group.

Congratulations!

(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Chloe Ochs)

09/04/2026

“Our team is designed to bridge that gap between the disaster occurring and that bigger force being able to come in and provide more robust support to help out.”

| Air National Guard |

Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group provided key support to exercise Patriot 26 in Wisconsin Aug. 20 through 27.

08/26/2026

Anywhere, Anytime! ✈️ ⏳⚡️

Mission-ready Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group rapidly deploy a fully functioning forward operating base to Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, in preparation for Patriot 2026.

Patriot is an annual disaster-response training exercise conducted by the National Guard Bureau to sharpen and test the humanitarian capabilities of both Army and Air National Guard units during large-scale disasters in a joint-service environment.

Catch the behind-the-scenes view of how we can turn anywhere into a complete air base anytime.

CRG, send me! 💪

(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Airman Angelee Barnett)

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Air National Guard
Kentucky National Guard

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08/10/2026

PHOTO GALLERY: U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard, honored U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Walker at a ceremony July 24 in Nashville, Tenn., on the occasion of Walker’s retirement from the United States Air Force and Air National Guard.

Walker, Air National Guard assistant to the judge advocate general of the United States Air Force, concludes a distinguished 35-year career during which he previously served as director of the Office of Complex Investigations at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, Walker was chief of staff for the Air Component at Joint Force Headquarters—Kentucky National Guard and staff judge advocate for the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville.

Congratulations, Sir!

(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Dale Greer)

08/10/2026

Congratulations, sir!

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Walker concluded his military career during a ceremony in Nashville Tennessee, July 24, drawing a close to 35 years of service that saw him excel in top posts at the

08/10/2026

Two Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group traveled to Ecuador in April to share information about the unit’s Critical Care Air Transport Teams with their Ecuadorian

08/04/2026

07/29/2026

123rd Medical Group and Kentucky Guard Airmen honored for national excellence

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —The Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group has been named Air National Guard Medical Unit of the Year, and two of its officers have been recognized for individual excellence in the 2025 Air National Guard Medical Service Awards.

Lt. Col. Lauren Lwanga was selected as ANG biomedical specialist officer of the year, and Capt. Leigha Bowyer-Jones was selected as ANG privileged advanced practice nurse of the year.

“These recognitions are a direct reflection of talent, dedication and mission focus,” said Col. Patricia Adams, group commander. “I couldn't be prouder of this group and all they continue to accomplish in service to our Airmen.”

The Air National Guard Medical Service Awards are presented annually by the National Guard Bureau in recognition of efforts that improve health care delivery and medical procedures, Adams said.

The 123rd MDG was honored for overall readiness, innovation and excellence, according to Col. Jennifer Schmidt, director of the ANG Medical Service. The group expertly managed individual medical readiness program for 23 units and more than 1,000 personnel during the award period. Group leaders also reorganized internal procedures, reducing the processing time required for flight physicals by 50 percent.

Lwanga and Bowyer-Jones were selected for honors based on contributions to their respective fields, continuous improvement and exceptional accomplishments in medical operations, Schmidt said.

As the wing’s senior public health officer, Lwanga led three health-risk mitigation efforts, improving workspace air quality, reducing harmful chemical exposures and coordinating the removal of rodents in base facilities.

Additionally, Lwanga worked with the Kentucky Army National Guard to develop a bilateral operational/training/flying construct for Air and Army medical assets. Her efforts pave a path for joint exercises, mission interoperability and real-world readiness support, Adams said.

Bowyer-Jones was recognized for processing 24,464 medical pre-screenings, leading to improvements in the accuracy and speed of Military Entrance Processing Station clearances. She also participated in a high-level knowledge exchange with an Israeli search and rescue team during disaster response scenarios; and led a critical knowledge exchange with Puerto Rico’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package.

— Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Photo Caption: Lt. Col. Lauren Lwanga, left, a public health officer in the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group, and Capt. Leigha Bowyer-Jones, a nurse practitioner from the same unit, have been named top performers in the 2025 Air National Guard Medical Service Awards. Lwanga was selected as ANG biomedical specialist officer of the year, and Bowyer-Jones was named ANG privileged advanced practice nurse of the year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett)

https://www.123aw.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4558523/123rd-medical-group-and-kentucky-guard-airmen-honored-for-national-excellence/