Virginia National Guard

Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony honors Virginia’s fallen
May 27, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Virginians from all branches of the Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to their country were remembered at the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial May 27, 2019, in Richmond. Virginia. Ten Virginia National Guard Soldiers have been killed by hostile enemy action since Sept. 11, 2001, and they... MORE

Ceremony celebrates 412th birthday of VNG, Jamestown
May 14, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Senior leaders from the office of Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and members of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard cut a cake to celebrate the 412th birthday of the Virginia National Guard and Jamestown May 14, 2019, at the Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. The VNG traces the heritage and traditions of citizen service to the founding of Jamestown when Capt. John Smith organized the colonists for defense, and since May 14, 1607, there has not been a day without a military presence in Virginia to defend freedom at home and overseas... MORE

Virginia’s vets honored on National Vietnam Veterans Day
April 3, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Dozens of Vietnam-era veterans were honored with a ceremony and special pin during a Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration March 29, 2019, at the Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

Joint Base Langley-Eustis identified as candidate for F-22 Raptor Formal Training Unit
March 27, 2019 — The U.S. Air Force has identified Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, as the candidate base for the F-22 Raptor formal training unit and associated T-38 aircraft, according to announcement made March 25, 2019, by the Secretary of the Air Force. The announcement also indicated the Air Force filed a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to assess the potential environmental consequences of the proposed action in the federal register as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. ... MORE

Events honor Virginia National Guard’s women Soldiers and veterans
March 20, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Two recent events marking Women’s History Month and Virginia Women Veterans Week 2019 honored Virginia National Guard’s female Soldiers and veterans, including one woman serving with the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Sgt. Taylor Cunningham, who works full-time with the 1-111th, was recognized during the Military Through The Ages event at the historic Jamestown Settlement March. 16, 2019, near Williamsburg, Virginia. The annual event featured a special salute to women’s wartime service, from their original support roles to their modern inclusion in combat units... MORE

Governor commends Virginia National Guard
January 18, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Ralph Northam and Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Carlos Hopkins commended the Virginia National Guard for the organization’s service to commonwealth and country at a legislative reception hosted Jan. 16, 2019, by the Virginia National Guard Association and Virginia Army and Air National Guard Enlisted Association in Richmond, Virginia. “Over the last year I have been so proud of all the great work that our Guard does, whether it has been serving overseas or answering the call when we have had natural disasters,” Northam said. “You are always there, and people know that you are always there and you are known for your service to the commonwealth.”... MORE

VNG supports multi-state, multi-agency response to Hurricane Florence
September 20, 2018 — The Virginia National Guard staged more than 1,500 personnel Sept. 12, 2018, at key locations across the commonwealth to support local and state emergency management officials with possible response to Hurricane Florence, but most were not needed when the storm turned further south. When Governor Ralph Northam authorized Virginia’s resources could be redirected to North Carolina, the VNG sent sent approximately 40 Soldiers and 20 light medium tactical vehicles to support with recovery efforts where the hurricane caused widespread flooding... MORE

Governor signs DMV drivers license veteran indicator bill
June 18, 2018 — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ceremonially signed House Bill 737 June 26, 2018, in Richmond, Virginia, authorizing the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to issue driver’s licenses, permits and identification cards displaying an indicator signifying that the holder is a veteran. Applicants must provide proof of veteran status. Delegate John J. McGuire introduced the bill, and it passed both houses of the General Assembly unanimously during the 2918 session... MORE

Governor commends the Va. National Guard
January 19, 2018 — Governor Ralph Northam and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran commended the Virginia National Guard for the organization’s service to commonwealth and country at a legislative reception hosted Jan. 18, 2018, by the Virginia National Guard Officer’s Association and Virginia Army and Air National Guard Enlisted Association in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to the reception, retired Air Force Col. Rich Anderson, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, shared his thoughts on leadership and public service as part of the Virginia National Guard’s ongoing Distinguished Speaker Series... MORE

Va. National Guard supports Governor Northam’s inauguration
January 15, 2018 — More than 200 Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel were on duty Jan. 13, 2018, supporting the inauguration of Ralph Northam as the 73rd Governor of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. Soldiers, Airmen and members of the VDF conducted a variety of missions including playing ceremonial music, firing a 19-gun salute with artillery howitzers and providing command and control of the inaugural parade marching elements. A formation of Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen led the inaugural parade, and aviation crews conducted a flyover with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters... MORE

Governor-elect Northam to reappoint Williams as Adjutant General of Virginia
December 22, 2017 — Governor-elect Ralph Northam will reappoint Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams as the Adjutant General of Virginia, according to an announcement made Dec. 22, 2017. The announcement was made along with other key appointments for senior leadership positions within the incoming administration and is available online here: https://govelect.virginia.gov/newsarticle?articleId=22026... MORE

29th Infantry Division Soldiers honored by Maryland, Virginia for overseas service
December 12, 2017 — Maryland and Virginia National Guard leadership each honored members of the 29th Infantry Division for their recent overseas deployment during ceremonies Dec. 2-3, 2017, in Maryland and Virginia. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, as well as Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, thanked the Soldiers and families of the 29th ID for their dedication, service and sacrifices over the past year at a holiday reception Dec. 2, 2017, at the Virginia Governor’s Mansion in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

Governor christens howitzer, tours new Va. Guard headquarters site
December 8, 2017 — Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe christened a 105mm M101A1 towed howitzer December 8, 2017, at the site of the new Virginia National Guard Joint Force Headquarters under construction at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, then toured the facility for a construction update... MORE

Governor, First Lady host receptions at Virginia’s Executive Mansion
December 5, 2017 — Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe hosted receptions for the Virginia National Guard Dec. 2 and 3, 2017, at Virginia’s Executive Mansion in Richmond, Virginia, to recognize the Soldiers and Airmen who returned from federal active duty deployments this year and their families as well as families of those personnel who are currently deployed... MORE

Va. Guard Soldiers support security operations in Charlottesville
August 14, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard rapidly responded when requested to assist local law enforcement and Virginia State Police with security operations Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville after Governor Terry McAuliffe made a state emergency declaration when violence escalated at a “Unite the Right” rally. Guard Soldiers were part of the multi-agency team assembled in advance of the rally, held in Emancipation Park, and helped law enforcement restore order after the gathering was determined to be an unlawful assembly. Later in the day, one person was killed in a car attack and two Virginia State Police troopers died when their helicopter crashed... MORE

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