The Virginia National Guard’s support to Virginia’s COVID-19 response ended July 31, 2021, after more than 460 days of assisting with vaccinations, testing and administrative, logistics and planning support at locations across the state.

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.

The Virginia National Guard’s support to Virginia’s COVID-19 response ended July 31, 2021, after more than 460 days of assisting with vaccinations, testing and administrative, logistics and planning support at locations across the state.

The Virginia National Guard’s Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has received a mobilization order to enter federal active duty to provide a security force in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, according to an announcement made July 29, 2021, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. 

Twelve Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates completed Phase I of Officer Candidate School and launched their training into Phase II during a recent drill weekend, held July 16-18, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia’s OCS is taught by cadre assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and the first drill of Phase II was held at SMR as a nod to the program’s historic past. 

The Virginia Army National Guard was among those recognized at Local Heroes Day, an event held July 17, 2021, at the Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Along with local first responders, recruiters from the Virginia Army National Guard accepted a proclamation and an engraved surfboard from Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer.

Nine Virginia National Guard Soldiers completed Level 1 Funeral Honors training June 20-27, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Led by the Virginia National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program, the course prepares Soldiers to conduct professional military funeral honors in accordance with service tradition.

Virginia and Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team trained on and fielded new M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifles July 12-15, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Maj. Gen. John Rhodes, commanding general, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard, assumed command of Task Force Spartan from Maj. Gen. Patrick Hamilton, commanding general, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, July 20, 2021. The transfer of authority ceremony was presided over by Lt. Gen. Terry Ferrell, commanding general, U.S. Army Central.

The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Maintenance Squadron gained a new commander, Lt. Col. Elim H. Sniady, during an assumption of command ceremony July 11, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Fifteen Virginia National Guard Soldiers participated in Regional Cooperation 2021, a U.S. Central Command-led exercise designed to promote cooperation and joint combined capabilities among the U.S and partner nations in Central and South Asia, or CASA. The annual exercise, held this year June 7-17, 2021, at Fort Harrison, Montana, was a brigade-level command post exercise. Virginia Soldiers integrated into various roles, often working alongside partner nation military members.

Religious support personnel from all components of the Virginia National Guard participated in a virtual training event June 5, 2021, designed to not only provide required training but also to increase communication and improve collaboration between the services. “It was a really good mix of Army, Air and Virginia Defense Force, as well as active duty,” said Capt. Will Cochrane, chaplain for the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group. “There was a great joint aspect with different elements represented. It was unique to be with them and collaborate. I honestly don’t remember a time when we’ve done that before. Everyone had a piece of the training.”