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 | Aug. 19, 2010

Kentucky Guard trains for possible deployment

By Spc. Scott Raper, Kentucky National Guard

GREENVILLE, Ky., - Soldiers from the Kentucky National Guard's 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade recently began the long road to possible deployment as their first of three scheduled annual training rotations kicked off here at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. 

Troops of the 149th MEB will complete the pre-mobilization training tours at WHFRTC over the next several months to qualify Soldiers and reach the necessary required strength. Their current stay is concentrated on preparing themselves for deployments and is organized for Soldiers to take care of basic service matters.

“We are focused on getting the Soldier as an individual ready to deploy,” says Col. Scott Campbell, the 149th MEB commander. “Later AT’s will work on collective training, but right now, it is individual focused."

Soldiers are required to complete tasks included in the Soldier Readiness Program, including Periodic Health Assessments, equipment showdowns and other personal issues. Field exercises for individual Soldier skills include: Individual Maneuver and Tactics Course, Close Quarters Marksmanship, Military Operations in Urban Terrain training, Humvee Egress Assistance Training, Virtual Convoy Operation Training, and Entry Control Point training.

Soldiers battled excessive heat conditions during training, but were reminded of how appropriate it is in a real world understanding of their possible deployment. Morale remained extremely high throughout as they kept the mission first and drove on. 

“Morale has been excellent,” said Capt. Janee Wilson, the Alpha Company commander. “I have not seen anyone not enjoy training, not engage or not grasp what we are doing, they are asking questions and getting involved."

The efforts of the Soldiers has been observed and noted by all members of their command staff. 

“This annual training has exceeded my expectations," said Campbell. "The Soldiers are motivated, enthusiastically attacking the training. The attitude, the way they are going about their business is heartwarming.”

Units of the 149th stretch entirely across the Commonwealth, with armories in Benton, Bowling Green and Hopkinsville out west, Williamsburg, Somerset, Harlan, Middlesboro, Barbourville, and Ravenna in eastern Kentucky with a headquarters in Louisville.

The 149th could also be in the process of making history for the Kentucky National Guard, as their possible deployment of nearly 1,400 Citizen Soldiers would be the largest deployment since World War II.

 

 

Related Articles
Virginia National Guard aviation crews assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, train on aerial fire suppression with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with water buckets March 12, 2025, during a prescribed burn at Fort Barfoot, Virginia.
Virginia National Guard Aviation Crews Train on Firefighting
By Cotton Puryear, | March 28, 2025
FORT BARFOOT, Va. - Virginia National Guard aviation crews assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, trained on aerial fire suppression with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with...

Virginia National Soldiers assigned to the 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, stand together in front of the ‘Eleven Row’ anti-vehicle obstacle they constructed to demonstrate U.S. counter-mobility tactics for Finland’s Kymi Engineer Battalion.
Virginia Guard, Finnish Counterparts Train at Arctic Forge 25
By 1st Lt. Nathan DeGallery, | March 28, 2025
KOUVOLA, Finland - A platoon of Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, participated in cold-weather training with the Finnish...

Nebraska Army and Air National Guard recruiting and retention specialists exchanged ideas and best practices with their counterparts from the Czech Armed Forces during a State Partnership Program engagement Feb. 25, 2025. The exchange focused on maintaining strength in their respective military departments.
Nebraska Guard, Czechs Share Recruiting and Retention Tips
By Kevin Hynes, | March 27, 2025
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Army and Air National Guard recruiting and retention specialists exchanged ideas and best practices with their counterparts from the Czech Armed Forces during a February State Partnership Program...