VNG responds to back-to-back winter weather events
VNG supports inauguration of the 75th Governor of Virginia
180th ESC spearheads historic equipment movement in Africa
Class 63 cadets graduate from Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy

FEATURED STORIES

Brig. Gen. Charles Martin Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Hawley, the Virginia Army National Guard command team, lead the marching formation of the parade at the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as the 75th Governor of Virginia Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. The formation consisted personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard and Virginia Air National Guard and a joint color guard featuring the U.S. and Virginia flags and the organizational colors of the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Virginia Defense Force. VNG personnel also presented a historical color guard in Revolutionary War-style uniforms to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. Read more at https://vngpao.info/ye2dnfbh.
VNG supports 75th Virginia Gubernatorial Inauguration
Jan. 17, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supported the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as the 75th Governor of Virginia Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. VNG personnel conducted a variety of missions including a blank-fire artillery salute, playing ceremonial music and conducting a flyover with F-22 fighter jets. A formation of Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen also led the inaugural parade.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct a movement to contact training lane June 17, 2025, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The 116th is the first Army National Guard brigade to test the approved task organization for a mobile brigade combat team, and it will be evaluated during a 21-day eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation.
116th IBCT officially converted to mobile brigade combat team
Oct. 17, 2025
​​​​​​​The Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was officially converted to the 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team effective Oct. 16, 2025, by the Army Structure Memorandum, commonly referred to as the ARSTRUC.

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD NEWS

Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Squadron, 192nd Mission Support Group, 192nd Wing support a Virginia Department of Transportation mission to help clear rural roadways in Central Virginia of ice and snow Feb. 1, 2026. Two Airmen operated a grader along with VDOT crews to help make routes passable.
VNG responds to back-to-back winter weather events
Feb. 3, 2026
More than 420 Virginia National Guard personnel responded to two winter weather events in the span of a week, staging and answering calls for assistance from regional emergency managers Jan. 23 - February. 1, 2026, in locations across Virginia. 
Virginia National Guard Airmen prepare for possible snow response missions on the Eastern Shore Jan. 31, 2026, in Exmore, Virginia. VNG Soldiers and Airmen are staged and ready Jan. 31, 2026, primarily in Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore regions, to support the response to snow expected to impact parts of Virginia. Approximately 130 VNG personnel are on duty, including response teams, command and control, administrative and logistics resources and other support elements. Members of the Virginia Defense Force are also supporting response operations. VNG crews will coordinate with regional emergency managers in their staging locations to conduct missions and provide assistance as needed beginning Jan. 31. VNG troops are organized in multifunctional teams capable of reducing debris to help clear roads and power line routes and move commodities. Troops also have heavy duty tactical trucks capable of traveling through deep snow or high water. Black Hawk helicopters with rescue hoist capabilities are also alerted and on standby.
VNG staged, ready for second winter storm of 2026
Jan. 31, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are staged and ready Jan. 31, 2026, primarily in the Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore regions, to support the response to snow expected to impact parts of Virginia.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers prepare for possible winter weather response operations Jan. 24, 2026, in Sandston, Virginia. VNG personnel are staged and ready key locations across the Commonwealth in order to support the response to winter weather that is expected to impact Virginia. Crews are preparing to conduct debris reduction and high-mobility transportation support missions in coordination with regional emergency managers. During domestic operations, the VNG responds as part of a multi-agency team to provide support capability requests submitted through the Virginia Emergency Support Team by Virginia localities. The VNG cannot respond to direct requests for support. Localities looking for VNG support should make their requests to the VEST, and they determine which organization can best provide the requested assistance as they coordinate the regional and statewide response.
Virginia National Guard stages for winter weather response
Jan. 24, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen staged Jan. 24, 2026, at VNG facilities across the Commonwealth to support the response to winter weather impacting Virginia.
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29th ID participates in warfighter exercise in Finland
Jan. 21, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division Headquarters participated in the Finnish training exercise Operation Karelian Spear Nov. 28 – Dec. 4, 2025, in Kouvola, Finland.
Brig. Gen. Charles Martin Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Hawley, the Virginia Army National Guard command team, lead the marching formation of the parade at the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as the 75th Governor of Virginia Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. The formation consisted personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard and Virginia Air National Guard and a joint color guard featuring the U.S. and Virginia flags and the organizational colors of the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Virginia Defense Force. VNG personnel also presented a historical color guard in Revolutionary War-style uniforms to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. Read more at https://vngpao.info/ye2dnfbh.
VNG supports 75th Virginia Gubernatorial Inauguration
Jan. 17, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supported the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as the 75th Governor of Virginia Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. VNG personnel conducted a variety of missions including a blank-fire artillery salute, playing ceremonial music and conducting a flyover with F-22 fighter jets. A formation of Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen also led the inaugural parade.
Virginia Army and Air National Guard senior leaders welcome distinguished visitors from the Finnish Defense Forces Dec. 11, 20205, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia, and at the VNG Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. The 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, welcomed Maj. Gen. Sami Nurmi, the Finnish Defense Forces Chief of Staff for Strategy, and other officers to Langley. There, they met with Col. Matthew Hummel and Chief Master Sgt. Sean Fretwell, the 192nd Wing deputy commander and command chief.
Finnish strategy chief visits the Virginia Air National Guard
Jan. 13, 2026
Virginia Army and Air National Guard senior leaders welcomed distinguished visitors from the Finnish Defense Forces Dec. 11, 20205, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia, and at the VNG Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group load a Caterpillar D6K Dozer onto a West Virginia Air National Guard C-130J Super Hercules while supporting Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Dec. 3, 2025. The Soldiers used specialized equipment to break down and load the dozer for movement to an outstation, the first time a dozer has been transported via air in that area of operation.
180th ESC completes historic equipment movement in Africa
Jan. 7, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group completed a historic equipment movement while on federal active duty supporting Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Dec. 3, 2025. 
Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Smith, the Virginia Army National Guard command team, led the marching formation of the parade at the inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as the 74th Governor of Virginia Jan. 15, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia.
VNG to support 75th Virginia Gubernatorial Inauguration
Jan. 5, 2026
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will be on duty Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia, supporting the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as the 75th Governor of Virginia.
The Virginia National Guard’s Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group conducts a departure ceremony Sept. 8, 2025, at Powhatan High School in Powhatan, Virginia. The unit will conduct pre-mobilization training in Texas before deploying to support Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and U.S. Africa Command to enhance regional stability and strengthen relationships with partner nations through construction projects across the region. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr., commander the Virginia Army National Guard, and Capt. Catherine Bean, commander of the 180th, gave remarks to the unit and gathered family and loved ones. Volunteers with the Virginia Defense Force provided parking assistance, and Powhatan High School Junior ROTC cadets acted as the color guard for the ceremony.
Governor-elect Spanberger to reappoint Ring as Adjutant General
Jan. 5, 2026
Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will reappoint Maj. Gen. James W. Ring as the Adjutant General of Virginia according to an announcement made Jan. 5, 2026.
Headshots of participants in the Hybrid Executive Career Transition Accelerator Seminar at MOAA HQ in Alexandria, Va. on Nov. 14, 2025. (Mike Morones/MOAA)
Kipling appointed as deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs
Jan. 5, 2026
Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed retired Virginia Army National Guard Col. Lesley Kipling to serve as the deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs, according to an announcement made Jan. 5, 2025.

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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.

J9 Resiliency Directorate Financial Assistance Information

A consolidated list of resources available to assist during periods of financial hardship or government disruption.

Click HERE to download this information as a PDF

Virginia National Guard Family Programs
24 Hour Emergency Hotline: 434-480-6585

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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