123rd Airlift Wing

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Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Security Forces Squadron a conduct riot-control exercise at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., May 18, 2022. The event was part of law-and-order training completed by more than 20 unit members over six days in central California. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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A new U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft arrives at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, Jan. 7, 2022, with the director of the Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, on board. The aircraft, being delivered to the 123rd Airlift Wing from the Lockheed-Martin factory in Marietta, Georgia, is the third of eight slated for the unit, which is converting from legacy C-130H transports. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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A combat controller with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron jumps from a Kentucky Air Guard C-130J Super Hercules for a parachute demonstration during the Thunder Over Louisville air show on April 23, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. Members of the 123rd STS kicked off the show by jumping with banners for the United States of America and Kentucky. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

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Lt. Col. Rob Anderson, a pilot for the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron, is pulled through the water by a Jet Ski, simulating parachute drag during water survival training at Taylorsville Lake in Spencer County, Ky., Sept. 10, 2022. The annual training refreshes aircrew members on skills learned during U.S. Air Force Survival School. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

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Airmen with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron fire their M4 rifles while on skis at a range in Grubbnäsudden, Sweden, Jan. 13, 2022. Fifteen members from the 123rd STS — including combat controllers; pararescuemen; special reconnaissance personnel; search, evasion, resistance and escape troops; and support Airmen — came here to build upon their relationship with European partners during an arctic warfare training course. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft arrives at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., from Lockheed-Martin Corp. In Marietta, Ga., Aug. 25, 2022. The plane is the eighth J-model to be delivered to the 123rd Airlift Wing since November, completing the unit’s transition from legacy-model C-130H transports. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Chloe Ochs)

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Airman 1st Class Geovannah Vazquez, a crew chief with the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, prepares to set up a vibration analyzer on a C-130J Super Hercules at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 15, 2022, as part of Maintenance University. More than 300 Air Guardsmen from Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, Rhode Island and California trained on career-specific proficiencies during the intensive week-long course. (U.S Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., performs an aerial demonstration over the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022 as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. This year’s event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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The adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard, Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, left, administers the Oath of Office to Mary S. Decker, chief of staff for Joint Force Headquarters — Air, Kentucky National Guard, during a ceremony promoting her to the rank of brigadier general at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., June 11, 2022. Decker joined the Air Force in 1987 as an airman basic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Lt. Col. Matt Hamblen, a pilot for the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron, mounts a LRU-16/P life raft during water survival training at Taylorsville Lake in Spencer County, Ky., Sept. 10, 2022. The annual training refreshes aircrew members on skills learned during U.S. Air Force Survival School. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

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Airmen with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron fire their M4 rifles while on skis at a firing range in Grubbnäsudden, Sweden, Jan. 13, 2022. Fifteen members from the 123rd STS — including combat controllers; pararescuemen; special reconnaissance personnel; search, evasion, resistance and escape troops; and support Airmen — came here to build upon their relationship with European partners during an arctic warfare training course. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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An Airman from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron search for flood victims from a helicopter in Eastern Kentucky on July 30, 2022. In response to devastating flooding, the unit coordinated 29 rotary-wing relief missions, rescued 19 people and two dogs, and recovered four bodies. Their command-and-control efforts also facilitated the assistance or recovery of 40 people. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

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Army Sgt. Brian Ewalt of the Kentucky National Guard’s 202nd Army Band performs May 30, 2022, during at a service honoring members of the Kentucky Guard who have died in the line of duty. The serviced, held at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., commemorated 13 Soldiers whose names were added to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial this year. Of the names being added, 11 were killed during World War I, one in 1935 during weekend training, and another in 2001 just prior to 9/11. The monument now honors 286 Soldiers and Airmen from the Kentucky Guard who have paid the ultimate price for freedom since 1912. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Lt. Col. Matt Hamblen, a pilot for the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron, is pulled through the water by a Jet Ski, simulating parachute drag during water survival training at Taylorsville Lake in Spencer County, Ky., Sept. 10, 2022. The annual training refreshes aircrew members on skills learned during U.S. Air Force Survival School. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

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U.S. Air Force Gen. David W. Allvin, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, tours a static display of aircraft the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022. Allvin was in town for the Thunder Over Louisville air show, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. The Kentucky Air Guard served as the base of operations for military aircraft participating in the event. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

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Master Sergeant Joshua Busch, a combat controller with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, collects gear in the “ice bath” of a frozen lake in Grubbnäsudden, Sweden, Jan. 14, 2022. Fifteen members from the 123rd STS — including combat controllers; pararescuemen; special reconnaissance personnel; search, evasion, resistance and escape troops; and support Airmen — came here to build upon their relationship with European partners during an arctic warfare training course. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., performs an aerial demonstration over the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022 as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. This year’s event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James R. Tongate, left, Kentucky Air National Guard state command chief; and Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, the adjutant general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, place a wreath at the Kentucky National Guard Memorial during a ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., May 30, 2022. The memorial honors 286 Soldiers and Airmen from the Kentucky Guard who have paid the ultimate price for freedom since 1912. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Security Forces Squadron practice room-clearing techniques at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., May 17, 2022. The event was part of law-and-order training completed by more than 20 unit members over six days in central California. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron search for flood victims from a helicopter in Eastern Kentucky on July 30, 2022. In response to devastating flooding, the unit coordinated 29 rotary-wing relief missions, rescued 19 people and two dogs, and recovered four bodies. Their command-and-control efforts also facilitated the assistance or recovery of 40 people. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Clayton Wear)

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Master Sgt. Gary Cobb, a combat controller with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, trains on cross-country skiing basics in Grubbnäsudden, Sweden, Jan. 10, 2022. Fifteen members from the 123rd STS — including combat controllers; pararescuemen; special reconnaissance personnel; search, evasion, resistance and escape troops; and support Airmen — came here to build upon their relationship with European partners during an arctic warfare training course. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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Airmen service the liquid oxygen system on a C-130J Super Hercules at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 14, 2022, as part of Maintenance University. More than 300 Air Guardsmen from Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, Rhode Island and California trained on career-specific proficiencies during the intensive week-long course. (U.S Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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Airman 1st Class Kristina Noe (left), a security forces apprentice with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Security Forces Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Richard Kenealy, a squad member of the 123rd SFS, practice hand-to-hand combat at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., May 20, 2022. The event was part of law-and-order training completed by more than 20 unit members over six days in central California. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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Brig. Gen. David Mounkes, the Kentucky National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Air, throws the ceremonial first pitch during a Louisville Bats baseball game at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 1, 2022. The event was part of a “Hometown Hero” program that honored 16 Kentucky Air National Guardsmen who deployed across the state for disaster response following a Category 4 tornado and massive flooding that claimed more than 100 lives in the past year. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Chloe Ochs)

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Staff Sgt. Melissa Griffith, a bandsman with the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America, performs the Star Spangled Banner during the opening ceremony of the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022. This year’s event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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An Airman from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron is one of 10 operators to parachute into the Ohio River from a Kentucky Air Guard C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to kick off the annual Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022. This year’s event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., performs an aerial demonstration over the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022 as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. This year’s event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Capt. Travis Carter, a pilot for the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron, walks onto shore after completing water survival training at Taylorsville Lake in Spencer County, Ky., Sept. 10, 2022. The annual training refreshes aircrew members on skills learned during U.S. Air Force Survival School. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

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Master Sgt. Eric Brown, a crew chief with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, performs a pre-flight inspection on a C-130J Super Hercules at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 14, 2022, as part of Maintenance University. More than 300 Air Guardsmen from Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, Rhode Island and California trained on career-specific proficiencies during the intensive week-long course. (U.S Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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Members of the 123rd Airlift Wing Color Guard unfurl the personal flag of Brig. Gen. David J. Mounkes during a promotion and change-of-command ceremony held at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 13, 2022. Mounkes assumed command of the Kentucky Air Guard at the event, taking on the role of assistant adjutant general for Air from Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Wilkinson, who is retiring. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft provides a backdrop for the retirement ceremony of Col. Michael A. Cooper, commander of the 123rd Medical Group, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022. Cooper served for 30 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Kentucky Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Capt. Travis Carter, a pilot for the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron, mounts a LRU-16/P life raft during water survival training at Taylorsville Lake in Spencer County, Ky., Sept. 10, 2022. The annual training refreshes aircrew members on skills learned during U.S. Air Force Survival School. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

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An Airman from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron is one of 10 operators to parachute into the Ohio River from a Kentucky Air Guard C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to kick off the annual Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022. This year’s event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Airman 1st Class Nik Schultz, a crew chief with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, installs a jack pad on a C-130J Super Hercules at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 15, 2022, as part of Maintenance University. More than 300 Air Guardsmen from Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, Rhode Island and California trained on career-specific proficiencies during the intensive week-long course. (U.S Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

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Charles M. Walker is promoted to the rank of major general during ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort, Ky., March 12, 2022. Walker, who previously served as chief of staff for the Kentucky Air National Guard, is the director of the Office of Complex Investigations at the National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, Md. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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A new U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing performs an aerial demonstration over the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022 as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. This year’s event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

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Kentucky Air Guard: 2022 Year in Photos

Published Jan. 31, 2023
123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- From arctic combat training in Sweden to rescue missions across Eastern Kentucky following historic flooding that claimed more than 40 lives, Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard completed another year of dedicated service to their state, nation and the world in 2022. Some of our favorite photos from the past 12 months document those missions.