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

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.

Virginia National Guard senior leaders and Soldiers traveled to Finland to observe Exercise Karelian Stronghold alongside key senior leaders within the Finnish Defense Forces Sept. 1 - 7, 2024, at multiple locations in Finland. The trip was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Finland became partners earlier in 2024.
VNG leaders observe defense exercise in Finland
Oct. 15, 2024
Virginia National Guard senior leaders and Soldiers traveled to Finland to observe Exercise Karelian Stronghold alongside key senior leaders within the Finnish Defense Forces Sept. 1 - 7, 2024, at multiple locations in Finland. 

Virginia National Guard leadership hosts Lt. Gen. Pasi Välimäki, commander of the Finnish Army, during a bilateral engagement, Oct 12, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The visit was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Finland became partners earlier in 2024. The visit, hosted at the National Museum of the United States Army, reaffirmed the bilateral commitment between the VNG’s 29th Infantry Division and their Finnish Army partners, and provided a roadmap for joint engagement between Soldiers of the 29th and the Finnish Army.
Virginia National Guard expands relationship with Finnish Army commander
Oct. 14, 2024
Virginia National Guard leadership hosted Lt. Gen. Pasi Välimäki, commander of the Finnish Army, during a bilateral engagement Oct 12, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The visit was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Finland became partners earlier in 2024.

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Cedar Bluff-based 1033rd Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group assist with food and water distribution Oct. 5-6, 2024, in Damascus, Virginia. Approximately 20 1033rd Soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high mobility transportation are staged in Abingdon in order to support the response to impacts of Hurricane Helene. The personnel are trained and ready to conduct movement, debris reduction and supply transport missions.
VNG gearing up for Milton, winding down Helene support
Oct. 9, 2024
The Virginia National Guard is gearing up Oct. 9, 2024, to support Florida as they prepare for the expected impacts of Hurricane Milton while it winds down Hurricane Helene support in Virginia.

Virginia National Guard aviation crews and Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team members prepare to head to Florida to support Hurricane Milton response operations Oct. 8, 2024, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia. The VNG aviators and Chesterfield first responders form the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, providing rotary wing aviation hoist capabilities and aerial rescue evacuation. The team is taking one UH-60 Black Hawk to Florida in support of an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request for additional assets ahead of Hurricane Milton. Before they departed, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin addressed the team to thank them for their service.
Virginia National Guard Black Hawk helicopter headed to Florida
Oct. 8, 2024
A Virginia National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crew and members of the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team deployed from Sandston, Virginia, to Florida Oct. 8, 2024, to provide support for expected impacts of Hurricane Milton.

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct air operations training on UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with air crews assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division July 10, 2021, in Pulaski, Virginia. Soldiers who recently graduated from Air Assault and Pathfinder Schools passed along their newly-acquired skills to help build operational knowledge within the unit. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ritah Daniel)
VNG AASF holds top spot for aviation maintenance readiness
Oct. 7, 2024
For three years running, the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility has ranked first in the nation for equipment readiness. Located in Sandston, Virginia, next to Richmond International Airport, with an auxiliary location at the Chesterfield Executive Airport, the AASF is home to the VNG’s fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopters. A dedicated team of around 50 full-time technicians maintains the fleet with just 25 percent of the personnel of a similarly-sized active duty organization, all while also ranking in the top ten nationally for operational tempo.

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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

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