Virginia National Guard

Virginia National Guard staged, ready for possible winter storm response operations
December 16, 2020 — The Virginia National Guard has staged approximately 60 Soldiers and 20 vehicles for state emergency support duty in the northwest area of the state Dec. 16, 2020, and they are ready to assist local and state emergency agencies respond to potential impacts from heavy snow along the I-81 and I-66 corridors. Expected missions for the VNG include using Humvees and light/medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through deep snow or help evacuate citizens in need of shelter as well as providing debris reduction teams with chain saws to help clear roads if needed... MORE

Current, former field artillery Soldiers receive Order of St. Barbara
December 16, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — A select group of current and former Virginia National Guard artillery Soldiers are being recognized for their service to the field artillery community with the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara... MORE

Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, presents the Ancient Order of St. Barbara to retired Col. Mike Coleman during a ceremony at the Capitol of Virginia Dec. 14, 2020, in Richmond, Virginia.

Cav Soldiers recognize Smithfield VFW for support
September 21, 2020 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Suffolk-based Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recognized and thanked members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545 in Smithfield, Virginia, during a unit awards ceremony Sept. 11, 2020, in Suffolk, Virginia. Bravo Troop and Post 8545 came together under the VFW’s Adopt-a-Unit program. According to the VFW more than 121,000 military and family members are actively supported by VFW Posts and Auxiliaries through the VFW Adopt-a-Unit program... MORE

Bennett VNG’s first female infantry enlistment, Infantry School graduate
August 27, 2020 — Pvt. Ana-Alicia Bennett, the Virginia Army National Guard’s first female infantry enlistment, made history July 17, 2020, when she graduated from the U.S. Army’s Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. With successful completion of training, Bennett becomes one of only a few female infantry Soldiers to serve in the Virginia National Guard and the first to initially enlist and successfully complete training as an 11B... MORE

Pvt. Ana-Alicia Bennett poses for a photograph with her parents July 27, 2020, outside their home in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

VNG Soldiers train on CROWS remote weapons system
August 27, 2020 — Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers from across the Commonwealth conducted training on the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station during a one week training course Aug. 17-21, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The course was designed to familiarize Soldiers with the M153 CROWS system, an externally mounted weapons control system that allows the gunner to remain inside the vehicle, protected by armor while being able to remotely fire various crew served weapons... MORE

Teamwork, attention to detail helps LT earn Ranger Tab
August 18, 2020 — When Virginia National Guardsman 1st Lt. Aidan O’Connor decided to go to Ranger School, it was partly because of leadership. So many of the best leaders he’d met had Ranger tabs on their shoulders and while O’Connor knew that wasn’t all it took to excel in the leadership arena, it seemed like a pretty good start. Plus, O’Connor says he was looking for a challenge, which he knew Ranger School would deliver. ... MORE

First Lt. Aidan O’Connor (front row, third from the right) poses alongside his fellow Ranger School Graduates after successfully completing the course. O’Connor, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, is currently assigned as the executive officer to Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Samulski takes command of 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
August 4, 2020 — Col. Christopher J. Samulski took command of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. Joseph A. DiNonno July 31, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Maj. Gen. John M. Epperly, commander of the 29th Infantry Division, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from DiNonno to Samulski... MORE

Col. Joseph A. DiNonno receives a framed print from the leaders of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Virginia National Guard welcomes first female infantry company commander
July 28, 2020 — WOODSTOCK, Va. — During a small, socially-distanced ceremony, Capt. Candice Bowen became the Virginia National Guard’s first female infantry company commander when she took command of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Capt. Timothy England July 18, 2020, in Woodstock, Virginia. “It feels… ... MORE

Task Forces provides critical assistance to Virginia's COVID-19 response
July 15, 2020 — PETERSBURG, Va. — After months of hard work and unprecedented challenges, one element of the Virginia National Guard’s support to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is drawing to a close. While COVID-19 sample collections and mask fit testing continue, the task force dedicated to logistics and… ... MORE

Task Force provides critical assistance to Virginia’s COVID-19 response

Virginia Army National Guard command selections announced
June 22, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Selections for Virginia Army National Guard brigade and battalion commands were made June 19, 2020, by the Adjutant General of Virginia, and June 18 with the release of the results of the annual VaARNG Field Grade Assignment Board. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of… ... MORE

29th ID CG recognizes Soldiers for outstanding COVID-19 response support
June 18, 2020 — BLACKSBURG, Va. — Maj. Gen. John M. Epperly, commander of the 29th Infantry Division, visited Virginia National Guard Soldiers supporting COVID-19 response efforts June 15, 2020, in Blacksburg, Virginia, and presented his challenge coin for particularly outstanding performance of duty. “There is not much more noble work than what we… ... MORE

Donations bring important World War II-era artifacts to VNG collection
June 17, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s historical collection has a wealth of new World War II-era artifacts thanks to generous recent donations from a couple different sources. The donations include the personal effects of Maj. Gen. Edward M. Hudgins, who originally enlisted in the the Virginia National Guard’s Company… ... MORE

429th BSB takes second in national food service competition
June 16, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — After a tight competition with other finalists, the Danville-based Headquarters Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team finished as national runners-up in the 52nd Philip A. Connelly Food Service Competition. The team competed against three other states in the national finals in March… ... MORE

429th BSB competes for national food service award

Virginia National Guard hosts D-Day observation
June 6, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard hosted a brief observation of the 76th anniversary of D-Day June 6, 2020, at the Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Chief Master Sergeant James J. Profita, the… ... MORE

229th BEB supports operations at Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
June 2, 2020 — FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are lending a hand to help feed citizens in need by supporting the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank as part of COVID-19 response operations. A team of about 35 Soldiers... ... MORE

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