By Jenny Wells-Hosley 

This Saturday (Veterans Day) the University of Kentucky Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) Detachment 290 will remember and honor veterans and service personnel who are/were prisoners of war and/or missing in action (POW/MIA) through the revival of the POW/MIA run across Central Kentucky.

The student-led run is set to begin 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at UK’s Buell Armory. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton will speak just before the run begins. Participants will then run approximately 29 miles to the Vietnam War Memorial in Frankfort. 

Nearly 95 cadets and cadre are expected to participate, including 10 from University of Louisville’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 295.

All participants will run the first and last two miles, with most relaying

By Richard LeComte 

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The University of Kentucky’s Air Force ROTC commissioned 15 Second Lieutenants on May 4. Capt. Nichole Nicholson, recruitment officer at UK’s Air Force ROTC and assistant professor of aerospace studies, has identified four cadets who have excelled in their training.  

“All four of these women have been great examples of innovation, hard work and dedication in helping to push our cadet wing forward,” Nicholson said. “I know they’ll each continue to do the same when they enter active duty.” 

These soon-to-be-commissioned officers have a variety of backgrounds and majors — everything from nursing to Arabic. They exemplify what’s wildly possible for students wishing to pursue military studies at UK.  

Julia Acevedo

Julia Acevedo, Hurricane, West Virginia; neuroscience major.  

“Acevedo is

By Jenny Wells-Hosely

This Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of 9/11, and the University of Kentucky Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs are remembering those who lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attack in human history.  

Cadet Cole Wilson, with UK’s Pershing Rifles chapter, says cadets will continue their annual tradition on Sunday, dressing in uniform and placing small flags in memory of each of the nearly 3,000 victims of 9/11 on the front lawn of UK's Main Building.  

The ceremony will begin with remarks at 8:25 a.m. by Cadet Wilson and Lt. Col. Alan Overmyer, UK professor of military science. 

From a podium, cadets will then read the name of each victim throughout the day. They will begin reading the names at 8:46 a.m., when the first attack occurred. They will also raise the American flag at this time. 

A cadet will

By Grace Colville

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2021) — COVID-19 has taught us many things, including the power of nurses. Yuri Maisel is graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Nursing determined to show others the kind of care she knows can make a difference.

Maisel wanted to be a nurse for the challenge. Each day, nurses face something different. Not only do they know the ins and outs of patient care, but they also serve as an advocate and confidant for their patients and families. More than anything, Maisel wanted to help others.

“Between the hands-on patient care approach and the ability to make a positive difference in someone’s life, it was an obvious choice for me,” Maisel said. “I feel like there is no better career than one where you have

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2021) — For more than 100 years, Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) offers an opportunity for those across the United States to come together to honor those who have served in the U.S. military, and show gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

Today, the University of Kentucky is honoring its own veterans, which include hundreds of students, faculty and staff.

“Each year on Nov. 11, we pay tribute to all American veterans and express our deep appreciation for their love of country and willingness to sacrifice,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “At the University of Kentucky, our faculty, staff and student veterans enrich the lives of those around them and contribute to our community in profound ways. Our veterans are integral members of

By Richard LeComte

LEXINGTON, KY – The U.S. Air Force sent these two University of Kentucky grads around the nation and the world, and now they’re back in Lexington. Cadets in UK’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 290 are getting the benefit of these alumni’s experience.

Maj. Lindsey Phillabaum (bottom photo) and Capt. Nichole Nicholson (top photo) are assistant aerospace professors in Aerospace Studies, part of UK’s College of Arts & Sciences, and they’re delighted to have returned. Phillabaum has been at UK for two years, and Nicholson started in July.

Before coming to UK, Nicholson was stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where she was a leader in logistics. Before that, she was stationed in Korea and Alaska. She appreciated her experience at UK so much that she decided to come back.

“When I was going through AFROTC, I absolutely loved the

By Jenny Wells

Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and the University of Kentucky Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs are remembering those who lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attack in human history. 

Zach St. Hilaire, company commander of UK’s Pershing Rifles chapter, says cadets will continue their annual tradition on Saturday, dressing in uniform and placing small flags in memory of each of the nearly 3,000 victims of 9/11 on the front lawn of UK's Main Building. From a podium, cadets will also read the name of each victim throughout the day. They will begin reading the names at 8:46 a.m., when the first attack occurred.

The Lexington Fire Department will be present during the opening of the ceremony. 

A large memorial flag will also

By Jenny Wells-Hosley, Brad Nally, and Amy Jones Timoney Feb. 25, 2021

Link to video 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2021) — This past Tuesday, University of Kentucky Army and Air Force ROTC cadets commemorated the 76th anniversary of the flag raising on Iwo Jima with a flag raising ceremony on the UK campus. The event paid special tribute to two World War II veterans with Kentucky ties: the late Elwood “Woody” Hughes and Franklin Runyon Sousley (1925-1945).

Hughes, who died Feb. 2, 2021, at age 95 in Lexington, had planned to raise a flag this Tuesday at Veterans Park Elementary in Lexington to honor those who lost their lives at

By Addison Cave

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Second Lt. Ryan Millard knew the University of Kentucky would take him places – just not quite so high. Millard, a recent December 2020 graduate, is the first University of Kentucky student to be commissioned directly into the U.S. Space Force.

“I want to be on the leading edge of technology, and that is exactly what the U.S. Space Force is allowing me to do,” Millard said.

Millard had always had the thought of joining the military. Both of his uncles served in the U.S. Navy and when his high school graduation neared, he was prompted to make important decision regarding his future. Joining the military was always a thought in the back of his mind, and at UK he got to act on his idea. With scholarship support from the Air Force ROTC program, Millard found doors were opened to a number of opportunities. Millard chose to embark on

By Richard LeComte

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 290 commissioned 15 students May 13 in the Gatton Student Center Ballroom. The detachment is part of UK’s College of Arts & Sciences. Photos of the event can be found here. 

“Our mission is to develop exceptional leaders of character for tomorrow's Air and Space Force,” said Lt. Col. Richard K. Harrop, commander of the UK detachment. “At the University of Kentucky, Detachment 290 it is important we develop stronger leaders for tomorrow while

By Richard LeComte

The University of Kentucky’s Air Force ROTC 290 Detachment will honor distinguished alumnus  and retired Air Force Gen.  Jack I. Gregory during a virtual Zoom ceremony at 3 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 12. The event will be streamed from Buell Armory on the UK campus.

To attend the event, go to https://youtu.be/L6p9HxbmJx4; no registration is requited.

Gregory was born in Somerset, Kentucky, in 1931, and he graduated from Somerset High School in 1949. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UK in 1953, where he also was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through UK’s Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 290, the “Flying Wildcats.”

Over the course of the next 35 years, Gregory served in multiple command positions across the United States, Germany and

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to learning and working environments that are diverse, inclusive, and equitable for students, staff, and faculty.

We stand in solidarity with those working to confront systemic racial injustice in our communities and in the United States. We recognize the disproportionate burden of racism and other forms of violence on many within our A&S community during this time. We affirm our support of faculty, students, staff, and alumni in standing against all forms of racism, discrimination, and bias.

During this time of pandemic and continued racism and violence that especially impact marginalized communities of color, we recognize the disproportionate impact on Black and African-American people. In the context of the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and here in Kentucky, Breonna Taylor and David McAtee, we affirm that

By Aly Bourne

Ron Spriggs, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and founder of the Ron Spriggs Exhibit of Tuskegee Airmen (RSETA), will speak on campus at an event presented by UK Air Force ROTC Detachment 290. The free public talk, which will begin 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the William T. Young Auditorium, will be focused on the historic military unit.

An integral part of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen fought for the United States in defeat of the AXIS powers all while overcoming segregation. The group of African American pilots were the first African American military aviators in U.S. armed forces history.

Founded in 2002, RSETA works to communicate the importance of the

By Jillian Gibney

The University of Kentucky’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 290 invites the campus community and the public to "Run for Equity." This inclusive and free event will take place 1-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, starting at Barker Hall and following a mapped route on campus.

Participants may choose a cause that they want to run for in addition to POW/MIA and Wounded Warrior Project.

There will be designated snacks and hydration stations along the route.

Each runner will receive a free T-shirt for participating and is encouraged to write the cause they are running for on their shirt. Those interested in running or walking can register here.

The "Run for Equity" is part of the

Our first Cadet of the week goes to C/Birnideli!

“I joined AFROTC because I want to do something that matters in my life. Being an officer for the Air Force is a great way to do something that will make a difference.

My goal is to be Pararescueman in the Air Force for a similar reason I want to be in the Air Force in general. I want to make the biggest difference I can and Pararescueman is one of the ways I can do that.  Outside of ROTC I am a mechanical engineer major and I am on the club dodge ball team.”

As part of the University of Kentuky's annual Heroes Day tradition, Detachment 290 presented the pregame field-sized flag ceremony in conjunction with the UK Army ROTC Wildcat Battalion last Saturday, 7 September 2019.  The Flying Wildcats also hosted a family tailgate outside Barker Hall before the game. 

The activities kicked off with a display retreat ceremony lead by cadets, which allowed their parents to observe how the wing conducts operations.  After the flag was  retired by the Flying Wildcat Honor Guard, the cadets and their families enjoyed a delicious tailgate barbeque courtesty of the Flying Wildcats Booster Club.  Cadets, families, and cadre were all able to mingle and discuss life in ROTC and more during the afternoon's festivities.  Cadets then transitioned to Nutter Field House, where they joined members of the Wildcat Battalion to prepare for the flag

By Madison Dyment and Jenny Wells

Buss is the Detachment 290 (DET 290) commander and aerospace studies department chair in the UK College of Arts and Sciences.

The University of Kentucky community is celebrating Women’s History Month. Throughout March, UKNow will feature the women — past and present — on whose shoulders we stand and whose hard work has made our achievements possible. With a combination of fierce resolve and deep compassion, UK women have left indelible marks on our university. Join us as we highlight these #WomenOfUK.

Coming into a new state, a new school and a new position may seem a daunting task for many, but Lt. Col. Katie Buss of the U.S. Air Force is far from the average person.

Following a fulfilling career in the U.S. Air Force, Buss has recently found her new perch at UK’s ROTC program, where she

November 17, 2018

On November 17th, The Air Force ROTC Cadets honored Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA) by running 29 Miles from the University of Kentucky Campus to The Vietnam War Memorial in Frankfort, Kentucky.

It’s an early morning for the cadets as they report for duty at 5:30 a.m. to stretch and form up. They head off on their long journey by 6 a.m. The entirety of the run takes around 6 hours. Cadets run at an average 6 mph pace rotating out runners while others rest on the bus. However, every year, a group of cadets decides to honor those who have come before by running the entire distance without stopping or resting. All cadets finish the run by completing the last 2 miles. These cadets run this final distance in high spirits with a motorcycle escort from Chapter 5 of The Rolling Thunder.