The Pueblo Call-Up

 
40th Anniv Pueblo Call Up Logo

40th Anniversary of the Activation and Deployment
123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Support of the Pueblo Incident
(26 January 1968 – 09 June 1969)

10:00 a.m. 24 June 2008
Kentucky Air National Guard Base Annex
Louisville, Kentucky

KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD DAY
1792 – 2008

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the activation and deployment of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in support of the Pueblo Incident (26 January 1968 – 09 June 1969).
On January 23, 1968, the U. S. Navy “spy” ship, PUEBLO was captured off the coast of North Korea precipitated what has become known, as the “Pueblo Incident.”  On January 26, the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) at Shewmaker Air National Guard Base in Louisville was recalled to federal service in support of the growing tension between the United States and North Korea.  Wing Headquarters and an enlarged 165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS) were moved to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base near Kansas City, Missouri, in July 1968.

During the call-up, the 123rd TRW units flew approximately 20,000 tactical flying hours and delivered almost 320,000 reconnaissance prints to requesting agencies.  The command was deployed on important missions to the Panama Canal Zone, the Alaskan Air Command and Itazuke Air Base, Japan.  Assigned personnel served on active duty for 16 months and returned to state service in June 1969.  Performance during that period attained the unit its first Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA).

On July 14, 2000, the Kentucky Legislature passed an Act to establish June 24, each year as Kentucky National Guard Day.  The act reads in part:

WHEREAS,  the members of the Kentucky National Guard have unhesitatingly answered the call to serve in conflicts such as the War of 1812, the Mexican War, in both the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the Mexican border wars, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Rwanda, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.  The Kentucky National Guard continues to train and maintain readiness for war, as well as answering the call of the people of the Commonwealth by responding to disasters as a result of tornadoes, snow storms, and floods.  The Kentucky National Guard keeps peace during times of civil conflict, assisting the state’s law enforcement agencies engaged in the war on drugs.  On June 24, 1792, the Militia Act was signed into law by Governor Isaac Shelby, which recognized the formation of a Kentucky Militia.  The twenty-forth day of June of each year is designated as Kentucky National Guard Day in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.