An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | May 5, 2009

Kentucky Guard supports historic Derby run

By Aaron Hiller Kentucky National Guard

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - More than 350 Kentucky National Guardsmen supported the 135th annual "Run for the Roses" here at Churchill Downs on May 2.

The Guardsmen manned traffic control points and provided security and aviation support, including two OH-58 Kiowas and a UH-60 Blackhawk, for the event.

Their main mission was to augment local and state law enforcement personnel at Churchill Downs.

A crowd of over 150,000 racing fans watched as history was made when a 50- 1 long shot named, "Mine that Bird," came from dead last at the half to win the "fastest two minutes in sports" by 6 3/4 lengths in a field of 19 horses.

 

 

Related Articles
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, front row, center, the adjutant general and commander of the Illinois National Guard, met with Soldiers from Detachment 5, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, prior to the mobilization ceremony May 4, 2026, at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. The Soldiers mobilized in support of the U.S. Southern Command. Photo by Barbara Wilson.
Illinois Guard Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission
By Barbara Wilson, | May 6, 2026
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Seven Illinois National Guard Soldiers from Detachment 5, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, based in Springfield, mobilized May 4 during a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport...
Soldiers assigned to the New York Army National Guard Honor Guard salute as the coffin containing the remains of Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Joseph L. Burke are moved toward a hearse at Albany International Airport in Latham, New York, on May 1, 2026, during a dignified transfer of remains. Burke was taken prisoner by the Japanese in the Philippines in 1941 and killed by U.S. aircraft inadvertently in 1945. His remains were identified in 2025 and returned to his family in Troy, New York. Photo by Master Sgt. Jamie Spaulding.
New York Guard Welcomes Remains of WWII Airman Home
By Eric Durr, | May 6, 2026
LATHAM, N.Y. – When Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Joseph Burke came home to Troy, New York, on May 1 – 84 years after he left – New York Army National Guard Soldiers welcomed him at the airport.Joseph Leroy “Roy” Burke was captured...
U.S. Soldiers with the Washington National Guard and members of the Singaporean Armed Forces form together for the opening ceremony for Exercise Tiger Balm 2026 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, May 4, 2026. Exercise Tiger Balm is an annual U.S. Army Pacific-led bilateral exercise focused on the U.S.-Singapore Armed Forces military-to-military relationship to build combat readiness, strengthen interoperability between the United States and Singapore armies and demonstrate regional security partnership and resolve while enhancing security relations to build a cohesive U.S.-Singapore partnership for a free Indo-Pacific region. Photo by Sgt. Abigail Clark.
Washington Guard, Singapore Start Exercise Tiger Balm
By Sgt. Joshua Linfoot, | May 6, 2026
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – The Washington Army National Guard, alongside U.S. Army Pacific and in partnership with the Singapore Armed Forces, officially opened Exercise Tiger Balm 2026 on May 4 at Joint Base...
More
Staying Connected
Hosted by Department of War Information Activity - WEB.mil Veterans Crisis Line number. Dial 988 then Press 1