Blue and Gray division welcomes new CSM
34th CERFP conducts collective training exercise
VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare exchange in Tajikistan
Va. HART receives Virginia Bronze Star for efforts during Hurricane Helene
Nye succeeds Reich as VNG command senior enlisted leader
Historic highway marker honoring SMR unveiled in Virginia Beach
VNG Soldiers conduct close-quarters battle exchange in Tajikistan
Real ID soon required for VNG installation access
VNG Officer Candidate School accepting applications for traditional and accelerated classes

FEATURED STORIES

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Updates to VNG social media, website content
March 5, 2025
Content on this platform is being reviewed, removed and archived to align with the President's executive orders and Department of Defense priorities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5400.17. For any questions regarding social media policies, please refer to “Official Use of Social Media for Public Affairs Purposes” guidance available on the DOD web site at https://vngpao.info/4mj56vjp.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assist with commodity distribution Feb. 18, 2025, in Southwest Virginia. Soldiers deployed to the area to assist local emergency managers supporting citizens impacted by severe weather and power outages.
VNG wraps up support to Southwest Virginia
Feb. 26, 2025
Virginia National Guard Soldiers ended their missions in Southwest Virginia Feb. 23, 2025, after deploying to the area Feb. 14 to assist local emergency managers supporting citizens impacted by severe weather and power outages.

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD NEWS

With the recent 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, the Virginia National Guard History Program is highlighting the seven Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers who mobilized in 1941 who are still listed as missing in action. Four were assigned to the 116th Infantry, two to the 111th Field Artillery and one to the 176th Infantry. The Soldier assigned to the 176th was Sgt. Peter Dennis, originally from Prince George, Virginia. After mobilizing with his company in February 1941, Dennis was sent to Fort Meade, Maryland, before eventually being transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps.
VNG’s World War II MIA includes sergeant serving with Air Corps 
May 13, 2025
With the recent 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, the Virginia National Guard History Program is highlighting the seven Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers who mobilized in 1941 who are still listed as missing in action. 
Command Sgt. Maj. Eric J. Saxton, the incoming 29th Infantry Division CSM, speaks to a crowd of Soldiers, family members and Finnish Defense Force partners May 3, 2025, as part of a change of responsibility ceremony at the Fort Barfoot post stadium, Fort Barfoot, Va. Saxton said that he understands the weight of responsibility entrusted in him and is committed to honoring the proud history of the 29th. (Photo by Master Sgt. Chad Menegay, 29th Infantry Division)
Blue and Gray division welcomes new CSM
May 7, 2025
The 29th Infantry Division welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Eric J. Saxton as its new senior enlisted leader in a change of responsibility ceremony May 3, 2025, at the Fort Barfoot, Virginia, post stadium. Maj. Gen. Joseph A. DiNonno, the 29th Infantry Division commander, presided over the ceremony and passed the organization’s colors from outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy M. Hawley to Saxton.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airman conduct a collective training exercise simulating a response to a simulated mass casualty radiological event April 30, 2025, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The Soldiers and Airmen are assigned to the Richmond-based 34th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP. During the exercise, search and rescue, decontamination and medical teams worked together to rescue simulated casualties portrayed by role players. The CERFP is capable of providing support to first responders and civil authorities after a chemical, biological or nuclear incident. Read more about the 34th CERFP athttps://vngpao.info/2p89jnkp.
34th CERFP conducts collective training exercise at Fort Barfoot
May 6, 2025
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airman conducted a collective training exercise responding to a simulated mass casualty radiological event April 28 - May 2, 2025, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. 
Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conduct a mountain warfare exchange with members of the Tajik military April 21 - 25, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been formal partners since 2003. The exchange focused on developing and refining mountain warfare fundamentals, while fostering collaboration between U.S. and Tajik forces. A total of 25 Tajik participants, representing four different organizations of the nation’s defense forces, took part in the training. Ranks ranged from junior officers to senior lieutenant colonels.
VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare exchange in Tajikistan
May 5, 2025
Three Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a mountain warfare exchange with members of the Tajik military April 21 - 25, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been formal partners since 2003.
Virginia National Guard and Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services senior leaders present the VNG Bronze Star to members of the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team for their work performing rescues in 2024 during Hurricane Helene April 22, 2025, in Chesterfield, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the VNG Director of the Joint Staff, Col. Craig Lewis, the VNG State Aviation Officer and Chief Edward L. Senter Jr., Fire Chief for Chesterfield Fire and EMS, all gave remarks thanking the VNG aviators and Chesterfield rescue technicians for their service supporting emergency operations in Southwest Virginia During Hurricane Helene. During those operations, HART made their first real-world rescue hoist after years of rigorous, realistic training. Read more about HART at https://vngpao.info/VaHART.
Va. HART receives Virginia Bronze Star for efforts during Hurricane Helene
April 30, 2025
Virginia National Guard and Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services senior leaders presented the VNG Bronze Star to members of the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team for their work performing rescues in 2024 during Hurricane Helene April 22, 2025, in Chesterfield, Virginia. 
Chief Master Sgt. John F. Nye takes responsibility as the Virginia National Guard Command Senior Enlisted Leader from Chief Master Sgt. Kelly B. Reich during a ceremony April 11, 2025, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, presided over the ceremony which included an exchange of colors representing the change of responsibility from Reich to Nye as the VNG’s senior noncommissioned officer. Reich now serves as the Joint Senior Enlisted Leader of the National Guard Bureau Joint Staff where she is the principal military advisor on all enlisted matters affecting health of the force and enlisted professional development within the NGB Joint Staff. Read more at https://vngpao.info/3wdp3xae.
Nye succeeds Reich as VNG command senior enlisted leader
April 29, 2025
Chief Master Sgt. John F. Nye took responsibility as the Virginia National Guard Command Senior Enlisted Leader from Chief Master Sgt. Kelly B. Reich during a ceremony April 11, 2025, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.
A Virginia historic highway marker recognizing the State Military Reservation Historic District is unveiled April 10, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Catherine M. Jumper, Commander of the Virginia Air National Guard, Lt. Col. Emily Huffman, commander of the State Military Reservation, and Dr. Lisa Vaughn Jordan, Virginia Department of Military Affairs Cultural Resources Program manager, presided over the ceremony. The marker is located on General Booth Boulevard, across from the Virginia Aquarium. The Highway Marker Program, under the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, identifies and documents Virginia’s significant historical persons, events, and places.
Historic highway marker honoring SMR unveiled in Virginia Beach
April 23, 2025
A Virginia historic highway marker recognizing the State Military Reservation Historic District was unveiled April 10, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Catherine M. Jumper, Commander of the Virginia Air National Guard, Lt. Col. Emily Huffman, commander of the State Military Reservation, and Dr. Lisa Vaughan Jordan, Virginia Department of Military Affairs Cultural Resources Program manager, presided over the ceremony.
Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conduct a close-quarters battle exchange with members of the Tajik military April 7 - 11, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which has connected Virginia and Tajikistan since 2003.
VNG Soldiers conduct close-quarters battle exchange in Tajikistan
April 22, 2025
Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a close-quarters battle exchange with members of the Tajik military April 7 - 11, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Operation Maverick’s Armistice
VaANG to participate in Operation Maverick’s Armistice
April 21, 2025
Nearly 800 members from 10 Air National Guard units will participate in Operation Maverick’s Armistice, an agile combat emploeyment exercise to be held April 21-27, 2025, at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia, and surrounding airfields in the Sea of Antilles.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Barfoot-based 34th Civil Support Team conduct a training proficiency evaluation April 3, 2025, in Lynchburg, Virginia. During the full-scale exercise portion of the TPE, the unit responded to a notional chemical and biological weapons threat inside a haunted house attraction, performing reconnaissance surveys and collecting samples of unknown substances for identification. The team also practiced a “man down” scenario, simulating an incapacitated team member. The unit conducts their TPE, which includes two full-scale exercises evaluated by U.S. Army North, roughly every 18 months. 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. Read more about the CST at https://vngpao.info/34thCST.
34th CST trained, ready after formal evaluation
April 17, 2025
The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Barfoot-based 34th Civil Support Team was evaluated as trained and mission capable after a Training Proficiency Evaluation March 31 - April 3, 2025, in Lynchburg, Virginia. The evaluation was conducted by U.S. Army North, which supervised the exercise and validated the unit’s level of readiness. 

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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)

RESILIENCY RESOURCES

The Virginia National Guard J9 Directorate of Resiliency brings together Soldier-care efforts under one umbrella and includes: 

  • the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce
  • Family Programs
  • Resilience, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention
  • Religious Support
  • the State Equal Employment Manager
  • the Sexual Assault Response Workforce

QUICK LINKS

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