FEATURED STORIES

A Virginia National Guard Soldier assists the Virginia Department of Forestry with mop-up operations Nov. 16, 2023, at the Quaker Run Fire in Madison County, Virginia. VNG troops patrolled previously burned areas looking for hotspots and used blowers to clear newly-fallen leaves to help prevent reburn and maintain fire containment. VNG support helps with the overall containment effort of the Quaker Run Fire and allows DOF to reposition resources to other fires in the state.
VNG wraps up firefighting support
Nov. 29, 2023
Approximately 30 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen wrapped up ground support to firefighting efforts Nov. 17, 2023, in Madison County, Virginia, after assisting the Virginia Department of Forestry with mop up operations at the Quaker Run Fire. VNG aviation crews who previously supported the fire in Madison County ended their aerial fire suppression support Nov. 11 after assisting in Patrick County.

Fifty-seven Soldiers and Airmen assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa earned the GAFPB July 4-5, 2022, at Camp Simba, Kenya. The badge is a test of physical fitness and shooting proficiency with three levels of the award that can be earned: gold, silver, and bronze. It is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)
VNG Soldiers eligible for promotion, recruiting ribbon, $1K bonus for referrals
March 3, 2023
Helping grow the Virginia Army National Guard recently became an even more lucrative endeavor with the expansion of the ARNG’s Stripes for Buddies program and the announcement of a new Army Recruiting Ribbon. When paired with the VNG’s Referral Enlistment Program, or REP, getting a buddy to enlist could equate to a $1,000 bonus, a promotion up to the rank of specialist or promotion points for sergeants and staff sergeants, and the award of the Army Recruiting Ribbon.

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD NEWS

Leaders and recruiters from the Virginia Army National Guard pose together in front of the U.S. Capitol Nov. 16, 2023, in Washington, D.C. after three Virginia recruiters were named top in the region. Sgt. 1st Class David Sanford was named the region’s top recruiting noncommissioned officer, 1st Sgt. Thomas Clarke was named the region’s top section chief, and Staff Sgt. Tyler Voogd was named the top rookie recruiter for 2023. (Courtesy photo)
Virginia recruiters named top in the region after SMAG sweep
Dec. 8, 2023
Three Virginia Army National Guard recruiters were named top in the region following a meeting of Region II’s Strength Maintenance Advisory Group, or SMAG, Nov. 16, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Sgt. 1st Class David Sanford was named the region’s top recruiting noncommissioned officer, 1st Sgt. Thomas Clarke was named the region’s top section chief, and Staff Sgt. Tyler Voogd was named the top rookie recruiter for 2023.

The Fredericksburg-based Alpha Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team receives the 2023 Superior Unit Award recognizing them as the top company-level unit in the 116th IBCT during the 55th Annual 116th Infantry Regiment Muster Nov. 11, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ericka Gillespie)
116th Infantry Regiment holds 55th Annual Muster on Veterans Day
Nov. 29, 2023
Veterans of the 116th Infantry Regiment and Soldiers of the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team gathered to honor the unit’s history and enjoy an evening of camaraderie at the 55th annual 116th Infantry Regiment Muster Nov. 11, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia. Congressman Ben Cline and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, both delivered remarks and Col. Jared Lake, commander of the 116th IBCT, provided an update on the brigade’s activities over the last year.


A Virginia National Guard Soldier assists the Virginia Department of Forestry with mop-up operations Nov. 16, 2023, at the Quaker Run Fire in Madison County, Virginia. VNG troops patrolled previously burned areas looking for hotspots and used blowers to clear newly-fallen leaves to help prevent reburn and maintain fire containment. VNG support helps with the overall containment effort of the Quaker Run Fire and allows DOF to reposition resources to other fires in the state.
VNG wraps up firefighting support
Nov. 29, 2023
Approximately 30 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen wrapped up ground support to firefighting efforts Nov. 17, 2023, in Madison County, Virginia, after assisting the Virginia Department of Forestry with mop up operations at the Quaker Run Fire. VNG aviation crews who previously supported the fire in Madison County ended their aerial fire suppression support Nov. 11 after assisting in Patrick County.

Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Mission Support Group, 192nd Wing, train on their expeditionary skills during a field training exercise Nov. 3, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Airmen set up two separate operational sites, established a security perimeter and conducted security operations such as responding to demonstrations outside the gate, assaults on the base and other hostile situations. The 203rd RED HORSE provides highly-mobile civil engineering teams to support contingency and special operations worldwide. They are self-sufficient with rapid response capabilities for independent operations in remote, high-threat environments and can create or repair runways and erect permanent structures in a matter of weeks from concept and design to engineering and construction. (U.S. National Guard photo by A.J. Coyne)
4-day exercise sharpens 203rd RHS's expeditionary skills
Nov. 28, 2023
Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Mission Support Group, 192nd Wing, trained on their expeditionary skills during a field training exercise Nov. 2-5, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

First Lt. Gavin Steel
Native name inspires strength, pride for 1-116th platoon leader
Nov. 21, 2023
First Lt. Gavin Steel traces his Native American heritage through the bloodlines of both his maternal and paternal grandmothers. His maternal grandmother comes from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, located today in Western North Carolina. On the paternal side, his grandmother comes from the Coharie Indian Tribe, today located in the southeastern region of North Carolina.

Approximately 30 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assist the Virginia Department of Forestry with mop-up operations Nov. 15, 2023, at the Quaker Run Fire in Madison County, Virginia. VNG troops patrolled previously burned areas looking for hotspots and used blowers to clear newly-fallen leaves to help prevent reburn and maintain fire containment. VNG support helps with the overall containment effort of the Quaker Run Fire and allows DOF to reposition resources to other fires in the state.
VNG deploys ground troops to Madison County
Nov. 15, 2023
The Virginia National Guard deployed ground crews to support containment efforts at the Quaker Run Fire in Madison County, Virginia, Nov. 15, 2023, after demobilizing the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters providing aerial fire suppression support to the Virginia Department of Forestry Nov. 11, 2023. 

The Virginia War Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony honors those who have served and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces Nov. 10, 2023, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, delivered remarks during the ceremony, Sgt. 1st Class Tramel C. Hines, a Virginia National Guard Soldier assigned to Joint Force Headquarters, led the pledge of allegiance, and the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided ceremonial music. Members of the Virginia Defense Force volunteered their time to provide access control assistance for the event. (U.S. National Guard photo by A.J. Coyne)
Veterans honored at Va. War Memorial Veterans Day ceremony
Nov. 15, 2023
The Virginia War Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony honored those who have served and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces Nov. 10, 2023, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, delivered remarks during the ceremony. Sgt. 1st Class Tramel C. Hines, a Virginia National Guard Soldier assigned to Joint Force Headquarters, led the pledge of allegiance. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided ceremonial music for the event. In addition, members of the Virginia Defense Force volunteered their time to provide access control assistance.

Virginia National Guard flight crews train with first responders from the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team and Wintergreen Fire and Rescue on helicopter-assisted mountain and cliff rescue Oct. 25, 2023, at Crabtree Falls, in Nelson County, Virginia. During the training, the flight crews repeatedly lifted both first responders, simulated victims and their emergency litter from various points along the falls. Together, the Virginia National Guard aviators and Chesterfield first responders form the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART, which can provide rotary wing aviation hoist capabilities and aerial rescue evacuation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
HART practices mountain, cliff rescue at Crabtree Falls
Nov. 15, 2023
Above a forest aglow with fall’s foliage, the blades of Virginia National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters sliced through the air. Below, first responders from Chesterfield County and Wintergreen looked skyward as rescuers, simulated victims and an emergency litter were hoisted to and from the aircraft as part of a training event focused on cliff and mountain rescue. The training, which took place Oct. 25, 2023, at Crabtree Falls in Nelson County, Virginia, was the most recent training opportunity for Virginia’s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART, a team comprised of Virginia National Guard flight crews and personnel from the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team. 

Virginia Department of Military Affairs employee Mike Alder began a new role as deputy to the garrison commander of Fort Barfoot Nov. 10, 2023. He previously served as the deputy director of the installation’s Directorate of Public Works.
Alder selected as first state deputy to Fort Barfoot’s garrison commander
Nov. 14, 2023
Virginia Department of Military Affairs employee Mike Alder began a new role as deputy to the garrison commander of Fort Barfoot Nov. 10, 2023. He previously served as the deputy director of the installation’s Directorate of Public Works.

Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. will succeed Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher as the Virginia National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General - Army according to an announcement made Nov. 6, 2023, by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Martin currently serves as the VNG’s Chief of the Joint Staff.
Martin to succeed Gallagher as VNG Assistant Adjutant General - Army
Nov. 14, 2023
Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. will succeed Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher as the Virginia National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General - Army according to an announcement made Nov. 6, 2023, by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia.

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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.

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.

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