We're Moving!

That's right, we're moving this blog to a new address. For future blog posts, please visit -- Unbridled Service.

Also, please follow us on Twitter - KYNGPAO. And for the "inside baseball" perspective, be watching the individual Twitter accounts of our Public Affairs Staff -- KYNGPAO_Kirk, KYNGPAO_David, KYNGPAO_Andi, KYNGPAO_Aaron, KYNGPAO_Gina, and KYNGPAO_Waters

KY Adjutant General Awards the KY Medal for Valor

Kentucky Medal of Valor recipient Sgt. Michael Clary stands with Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain and Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky adjutant general, after an award ceremony Oct. 9, at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. Clary received the Medal of Valor after assisting with the rescue of four Daviess County teenagers stranded on top of a vehicle in an icy water-filled ravine during the Ice Storm of 2009.

1163rd Medical Company Returns from Iraq

MEDIA ADVISORY: Kentucky National Guard Medical company returns home from Iraq

WHO: 1163rd Area Support Medical Company, Kentucky Army National Guard
WHAT: Welcome home ceremony
WHEN: 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Settle Gymnasium (behind the Shelby County Board of Education) 1155 West Main Street, Shelbyville, Ky.

Shelbyville, Ky. -- The Kentucky Army National Guard will host a welcome home ceremony for the Soldiers of the 1163rd Area Support Medical Company at 4:30 p.m. on September 25 at the Settle Gymnasium, 1155 West Main Street, Shelbyville, Ky.

Please note that arrival time is dependent on weather conditions.

The 1163rd Medical Company departed Shelbyville one year ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Soldiers provided medical support to coalition forces and detainees during their tour of duty in Bucca, Iraq.

This is the second deployment for in support of the Global War on Terror for the 1163rd Medical Company. The unit also served in Afghanistan in 2003-2004. More than 12,000 Kentucky National Guard troops have deployed to fight the Global War on Terror since September 11, 2001.

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KYNG and Panther Racing Recognize the Troops

MEDIA ADVISORY: Kentucky National Guard teams up with Panther Racing to recognize troops

CONTACT: Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, 502-352-8008

WHO: Kentucky National Guard and Panther Racing
WHAT: IndyCar experience
WHEN: 12-4 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2009
WHERE: Kentucky Air National Guard Base, 1101 Grade Lane, Louisville, Ky.

Louisville, Ky. -- The Kentucky National Guard and Panther Racing are teaming up to recognize Soldiers and Airmen for a job well done!

Known for its world class IndyCar racing exploits, Panther Racing will treat Kentucky Army and Air National Guard troops on a once in a lifetime experience in a tandem-seat ride in a full-fledged IndyCar down the runway at the Air National Guard Base in Louisville.

The privately-funded program is designed to recognize the sacrifices made by Kentucky's Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen. More than 12,000 Kentucky National Guard troops have been deployed since September 11, 2001 to fight the Global War on Terror.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our Soldiers and Airmen to ride along with a world class team, Panther Racing," said Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, adjutant general for Kentucky. "We share many of the same attributes as Panther Racing, the technology, the adrenaline in particular, so it was only natural that we pair up for this once in a lifetime experience."

The event will run from noon until 4 p.m. Interest media should arrive at least a half hour early to process through security at the gate. A photo ID is required.

Marines Conducting Exercise in KY

MILITARY EXERCISE IN SOUTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY

Notice to Residents

From Sept 24 to Oct 7, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the landing force for the Norfolk-based Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, will conduct a military exercise in southern Indiana at Camp Atterbury and the surrounding communities, as well as parts of northern Kentucky in the vicinity of Frankfort and Peak Mills. The Realistic Urban Training exercise, or RUT, is a standard part of a MEU's pre-deployment training program.

The 24th MEU, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., is scheduled to deploy in a few months and this exercise is essential in preparing the unit's Marines and Sailors to operate in an urban area.

What kind of training will the Marines be conducting?

The primary focus for the Marines will be to hone their skills in conducting patrols, operating vehicle checkpoints, reacting to ambushes, and countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, among a variety of other skill sets associated with operating in an urban environment. The Marines'

activity in the communities will center on what are called situational training exercises - a variety of mock missions aimed at replicating the types of missions they might face during their upcoming deployment. In much the same way they would while deployed, the Marines will plan the missions in detail, and then execute them in approved, pre-designated locations.

Where will the training take place?

The Marines will be operating in a number of cities and towns throughout southern Indiana and northern Kentucky including Camp Atterbury, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Hoosier National Forest, Columbus and Seymour, Indiana, and Frankfort and Peak Mills, Kentucky. Military vehicles and helicopters will transport personnel and equipment between these locations.

While most of the activity will take place aboard the military bases, residents in certain communities can expect to see military vehicles and helicopters moving from one location to another. Residents living in close proximity to a select few sites will be notified in advance that Marines will be conducting simulated raids nearby.

What impact will the training have on area residents?

Many residents will certainly notice more uniformed Marines than they're accustomed to seeing, and many will notice military vehicles and helicopters operating in the area. The Marines will be living aboard Camp Atterbury, and most of the activity off base will be concentrated in a relatively small number of designated areas. Where some raids take place, locals may notice role players dressed in Middle Eastern clothing carrying fake, rubber weapons. The impact of the training on most of the community will be minimal.

How much extra noise should residents expect during the exercise?

If residents notice an increase in noise, it will likely come from the helicopters. We have worked closely with the FAA to establish flight paths that minimize, to the greatest extent possible, the impact on area residents.

Still, we know the noise can be a nuisance, and we ask for your patience while we complete this critical training.

For more information, please visit the 24th MEU Web site at http://www.marines.mil/unit/24thmeu or call the RUT information hotline at 877-676-0396.

Gen. Casey visits Bagram and Ky. ADT

Army Chief of Staff. Gen. George Casey visited Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan on Friday, August 28 to receive briefings on the situation in Afghanistan. During his visit he took time to meet with many soldiers, including the members of the Kentucky Agribusiness Development Team. Shown above, Gen. Casey greets Sgt. David Murley of the Ky. ADT. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Susan A. Wilt, CJTF-82 PAO)

38th Infantry Uncases Colors in Combat

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Lucas and Brig. Gen. Joseph "Lonnie" Culver uncase the colors of the 38th Infantry Division in Bagram, Afghanistan. This is the first time the 38th ID's colors have been uncased in combat since World War II. Brig. Gen. Culver commands Task Force Cyclone, an organization that will be influencing the expansion of governance, economic development, security, and to help improve the lives of the Afghan people. Brig. Gen. Culver is also the first Kentucky general officer to be mobilized for combat since the Civil War. (U.S. Army photo)