329th RSG welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Red Dragon snipers showcase strength, skill at Finnish Sniper Championship
34th CST joins local agencies for mass casualty incident training
Mazur takes command of 91st Cyber Brigade
Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 61 hosts Family Day
VNG Airmen assist with NC hurricane response
VNG ceremony launches new STEM program in Blackstone
Crenshaw, Ring visit 529th CSSB Soldiers in Poland
Virginia National Guard expands relationship with Finnish Army commander
VNG AASF holds top spot for aviation maintenance readiness
229th BEB Soldier wraps up eventful summer after Air Race Classic triumph

FEATURED STORIES

Virginia National Guard senior enlisted leaders prepare to travel via Jurmo-class landing craft to engage with the Joint Senior Noncommissioned Officer at the Finnish Naval Academy during a senior NCO exchange Aug. 19- 23, 2024 in Finland. Command Chief Master Sgt. Kelly B. Reich, the Virginia National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Irving Reed Jr., the Virginia Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major, Chief Master Sgt. Ian Stegherr, Virginia Air National Guard State Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Sean Fretwell, 192nd Wing Command Chief and Senior Master Sgt. Justin Connor, 192nd Security Forces Senior Enlisted Leader, all participated in the exchange, where they met with a variety of senior enlisted leaders from the Finnish Defense Forces and collaborated on a plan for joint enlisted training and exercise and development for 2025 to 2027.
VNG senior enlisted leaders meet with Finnish counterparts
Sept. 11, 2024
Virginia National Guard senior enlisted leadership traveled to Finland Aug. 19- 23, 2024, to collaborate with members of the Finnish Defence Forces on a plan for joint enlisted training and exercise and development for 2025 to 2027.
Maj. Gen. Joseph A. Dinonno, commander of the 29th Infantry Division, lays a wreath along with a French dignitary at the National Guard Monument situated above Omaha Beach in Vierville-sur-Mer, France, June 2, 2024. This monument sits at the spot where National Guard Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division broke through German defenses on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Commemorative events such as these serve to honor the sacrifices U.S. service members made 80 years ago in securing peace and security, and inspiring future generations to value a collective vision of global peace.
80th anniversary of D-Day observed abroad, at home
June 13, 2024
Virginia National Guard Soldiers paid tribute to the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of the U.S. and Allied Forces who participated in the June 1944 invasion of Normandy and commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day at multiple events on and around June 6, 2024, in France, Virginia and Louisiana.

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD NEWS

Col. Juanita Rohler takes command of the Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. Dennis Rohler, her husband, Nov. 2, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The 329th also welcomed a new senior enlisted leader when Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Viera accepted responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Brian H. Coleman. Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr., Commander of the Virginia Army National Guard, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. First Class Jeff Clements)
329th RSG welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Nov. 6, 2024
In another historic moment for one Virginia National Guard family, Col. Juanita Rohler took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. Dennis Rohler, her husband, Nov. 2, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The 329th also welcomed a new senior enlisted leader when Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Viera accepted responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Brian H. Coleman.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson, Sgt. James O’Connell, and Spc. Jonathan Farrar pose together competiting together in the HÄYHÄ 2024 Sniper Shooting Championship Sept. 20-22, 2024, in Finland. (Courtesy Photo)
Red Dragon snipers showcase strength, skill at Finnish Sniper Championship
Nov. 5, 2024
For the third consecutive year, snipers from the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team traveled to Finland to compete against their international peers at the HÄYHÄ 2024 Sniper Shooting Championship. Three Red Dragon snipers - Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson, Sgt. James O’Connell and Spc. Jonathan Farrar - competed Sept. 20-22, 2024, at a training site near Imatra, Finland.
Col. Gerald Mazur takes command of the Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir-based 91st Cyber Brigade from Col. Russell McGuire during a ceremony Oct. 26, 2024, at Fort Walker, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Charles M. Martin Jr., commander of the Virginia Army National Guard, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from McGuire to Mazur. Read more about the 91st at https://vngpao.info/yckujpv2.
Mazur takes command of 91st Cyber Brigade
Nov. 4, 2024
Col. Gerald Mazur took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir-based 91st Cyber Brigade from Brig. Gen. Rusty McGuire during a ceremony Oct. 26, 2024, at Fort Walker, Virginia. 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Barfoot-based 34th Civil Support Team participate in a mass casualty incident response course exercise Oct. 19, 2024, at Central High School in Victoria, Virginia. During the exercise, the CST showcased their ability to conduct a reconnaissance survey on a simulated meth lab, including sample collection and post-survey decontamination. Personnel representing multiple agencies from across the state participated in the course, which teaches the basics of mass casualty incident response. The 34th CST can identify unknown substances, assess current and projected consequences, advise an incident commander on response measures and assist with requests for additional state support.
34th CST joins local agencies for mass casualty incident training
Nov. 3, 2024
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Barfoot-based 34th Civil Support Team joined first responders from across the region for a mass casualty incident response course exercise Oct. 19, 2024, at Central High School in Victoria, Virginia. 
Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy cadets conduct a pass in review and drill and ceremony demonstration for family, friends and Virginia National Guard leadership during Family Day for Class 61 Oct. 19, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Todd H. Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, Command Chief Master Sgt. Kelly B. Reich, the VNG Senior Enlisted Leader, retired Col. Everton Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Emily Huffman, the commander of the State Military Reservation, Jen Lanz, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe, and Christopher E. Bertrand, the Commonwealth ChalleNGe commandant, were on hand to receive the pass in review. Commonwealth ChalleNGe, the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, is celebrating its 30th year in 2024. ChalleNGe is a 17-and-a-half-month program structured in a military-style environment designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and pride. (U.S. National Guard photo by A.J. Coyne)
ChalleNGe Class 61 hosts Family Day
Oct. 31, 2024
Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy cadets of Class 61 and their families enjoyed Family Day Oct. 19, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Cadets conducted a pass in review and drill and ceremony demonstration for family, friends and Virginia National Guard leadership before enjoying several hours of food, fun and games with their guests.
Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron, 192nd Mission Support Group, 192nd Wing assist with hurricane response operations Oct. 18-19, 2024, in Burnsville, North Carolina. Approximately 20 RED HORSE Airmen organized as an engineer company with heavy equipment assisted with route clearance, road construction and debris removal as well as assisted with staffing at commodity point of distribution.
VNG Airmen assist with NC hurricane response  
Oct. 22, 2024
Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron, 192nd Mission Support Group, 192nd Wing began assisting with hurricane response operations Oct. 18, 2024, in Burnsville, North Carolina.
Spc. Ashley Asselin, at left, competes in the 2024 Women's Air Race Classic June 18-21, 2024, with her teammates from Liberty University. (Courtesy photo)
229th BEB Soldier wraps up eventful summer after Air Race Classic triumph
Oct. 21, 2024
Spc. Ashley Asselin’s journey into the world of aviation took off during her high school JROTC experience. Since then, she’s earned her pilot’s license, joined the Virginia Army National Guard as a 15E Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer, finished her undergraduate degree at Liberty University and joined the full-time staff there as a flight instructor. This summer, she soared to new heights by finishing in the top five of her division in the renowned all-women’s Air Race Classic.
Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, retired Col. Everton Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief of Staff, and Nikole Johnson, the Blackstone STARBASE Academy Director, ceremonially break ground on the Blackstone STARBASE Academy Oct. 20, 2024, in Blackstone, Virginia. STARBASE is a Department of Defense program with the mission to expose youth to technological environments and positive civilian and military role models by providing 25 hours of hands-on instruction and activities in science, technology, engineering and math that meet or exceed the national standards.
VNG ceremony launches new STEM program in Blackstone
Oct. 21, 2024
The Virginia National Guard hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Blackstone STARBASE Academy Oct. 20, 2024, in Blackstone, Virginia.
Virginia National Guard senior leaders provide remarks during the initial meeting of the VNG’s new J9 Directorate of Resiliency Oct. 4, 2024, at the VNG Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Col. Kurt Kobernick, the Virginia Army National Guard Chief of Staff, gave remarks introducing the new directorate and welcomed Col. Paul Gravely as the VNG’s first J9 Director of Resiliency. The J9 encompasses the VNG’s resiliency efforts and includes the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce, Family Programs, Resilience, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention, religious support, the State Equal Employment Manager and the Sexual Assault Response Workforce.
VNG stands up new Directorate of Resiliency
Oct. 18, 2024
In an effort to improve resiliency and readiness among its troops, the Virginia National Guard recently created the J9 Directorate of Resiliency, bringing together Soldier-care efforts under one umbrella.
Retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, visit Oct. 7, 2024, with Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion on federal active duty in Poland. During the visit, each staff section briefed their current and future operations and essential information they track. They also shared their personal deployment experience after months deployed to Poland. Ring also administered the oath of enlistment extension to Sgt. 1st Class Teray Bundy and Spc. Shakira Green and promoted Pfc. Rashad Jones to specialist. (Photos courtesy 529th CSSB)
Crenshaw, Ring visit 529th CSSB Soldiers in Poland
Oct. 15, 2024
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, visited Oct. 7, 2024, with Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion on federal active duty in Poland.

JOIN US!




 

ABOUT THE VA NATIONAL GUARD

The Virginia National Guard is a unique dual-status force with a federal mission to provide a combat reserve for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to fight our nation’s wars and a state mission to provide a response force that answers the call of the Governor to defend the commonwealth. The VNG traces the history and tradition of Citizen-Soldier service to the founding of Jamestown in 1607, and there has been a military presence defending Virginia ever since. For more information on the Virginia National Guard click HERE.

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION & RESPONSE

  • Virginia National Guard Reporting sexual assault line - 434-294-4669
  • DoD Safe Helpline - 877-995-5247/ 202-470-5546 (Oconus)

READY AND RESILIENT RESOURCES

Readiness and Resiliency Information Resource Page provides resources and education to all Soldiers, Airmen, Virginia Defense Force personnel, family members and civilian employees to promote readiness, well-being, resilience and suicide prevention. The end state is a healthy organization that is resilient, knowledgeable regarding high risk behaviors, educated on stress reduction measures and aware of available service member, family and employee support network resources.

QUICK LINKS

Redirecting...