116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

The 116th IBCT is authorized approximately 3,500 Soldiers and is the largest major command in the Virginia National Guard. The 116th has units throughout Virginia from Winchester to Pulaski along I-81, from Staunton to Virginia Beach along I-64, from Danville to Lynchburg to Warrenton along Route 29 as well as Fredericksburg, Manassas and Leesburg. An infantry battalion based in Barbourville, Kentucky, is also aligned with the 116th for training and readiness oversight. A brigade combat team is the basic deployable unit of maneuver in the U.S. Army and carries with it support units necessary to sustain its operations away from its parent division. The 116th consists of three infantry battalions, a cavalry squadron, a field artillery battalion, a brigade support battalion and brigade engineer battalion.

The Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team returned from overseas in 2022, officially ending their mission as Task Force Saint Lo and the mission command headquarters for NATO Kosovo Force Regional Command-East with a transfer of authority ceremony Nov. 2, 2022, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. NATO KFOR troops conduct peace support operations contributing to a safe and secure environment for all people in Kosovo while healthy political dialogue continues between Kosovo and Serbia.

As the multi-national brigade assigned to Regional Command - East, Task Force Saint Lo commanded more than 1,000 personnel from 10 different nations to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement throughout Kosovo. The leaders and staff planned and executed three separate named operations to decrease tensions related to Serbian elections, License Plate Reciprocity, and securing energy infrastructure.

The brigade was also responsible for working with the Serbian armed forces to ensure all parties were in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 and the Military Technical Agreement. The focus of RC-East was to provide the opportunity to resolve tensions in the Balkans through political dialogue focused on normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

They planned and participated in multinational training events with the German contingencies to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and Schützenschnur and with the Danish contingencies to participate in the DANCON march. They also hosted the U.S. marksmanship badges for two NATO nations. Senior leaders took part in more than 70 engagements with the Kosovo Police, local mayors and Serbian armed forces. The Civil-Military Cooperation section executed 10 projects valued at more than 70,000 euros.

Read more about Task Force Saint Lo at https://ngpa.us/22642

Approximately 1,000 Virginia and Kentucky National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, ended their mobilization as Task Force Red Dragon during a transfer of authority ceremony Sept. 19, 2022, to officially end their security mission for Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. They began serving on federal active duty Nov. 27, 2021. 

Task Force Red Dragon provided security forces throughout the Horn of Africa, maintaining a presence in Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya. This defensive mission included 24/7 perimeter security of military installations, to include manning guard towers and vehicle entry control points to constantly safeguard U.S forces, partner forces, and civilian contractors. The task force also provided land-side security for multiple U.S. Navy port calls, enabling refueling and refit operations for U.S. ships operating in the vicinity of the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb strait. Throughout this base defense mission, the task force effectively integrated their enabler units into the defensive plan by augmenting medical personnel at each site, establishing indirect fire capabilities, and continuously worked to improve their defensive posture.

Additionally, TFRD provided the ground component of the East Africa Response Force, tasked with execution of a broad range of military operations, to include crisis response and security augmentation to Department of State or other U.S. facilities, support for military-assisted departure or non-combatant evacuation operations and other missions as directed. The EARF conducted monthly emergency deployment readiness exercises to ensure readiness and preparation in responding quickly to crises within East Africa. Over the course of the deployment, the EARF supported Department of State missions in Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Durban, South Africa. The EARF also conducted two emergency deployment readiness exercises to rehearse the reinforcement of contingency support locations in East Africa. 

Read more about TF Red Dragon’s mobilization at https://ngpa.us/21523.

Virginia and Ohio National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conducted a transfer of authority ceremony Nov. 12, 2022, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, to officially end their short-range air defense mission for Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

While deployed, approximately 330 Soldiers were tasked to provide short-range air defense against unmanned aerial systems and rocket artillery and motor attacks, protecting more than 10,000 coalition forces and critical assets throughout the Central Command area of operations in the Middle East using the Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System, or C-RAM.

Throughout the deployment, the 1-111th successfully engaged two UAS systems and multiple rockets with kinetic defeat systems and more than two dozen UAS systems with non-kinetic systems. They were also responsible for upgrading and expanding counter UAS operational capabilities. 

Read more about the 1-111th’s mobilization at https://ngpa.us/22853

Visit the 116th IBCT on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/116thIBCT/

 

116th IBCT News

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.

Virginia National Guard logo
New senior enlisted leaders for 116th IBCT, 329th RSG, MTC announced
Oct. 4, 2024
Command Sgt. Maj. Irving N. Reed, the Virginia Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major, announced the selection of new senior enlisted leaders for three VAARNG commands Oct. 4, 2024.

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team compete in the battalion's Carl “Chubby” Proffitt Jr. Squad Competition, known as the “Chubby Cup,” Sept. 7, 2024, at Fort Walker, Virginia. Each team competed in a series of events including physical fitness, marksmanship, a ruck march, react to contact, casualty evacuation and a pugil stick battle. The competition honors both the unit’s lineage and the legacy of Proffitt, who served with 3-116th during World War II, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Read more about 3rd Battalion at https://bit.ly/3Mzedlk.
St. Lo Battalion squads compete for “Chubby Cup”
Sept. 9, 2024
Ten teams of Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team competed in the battalion’s 3rd annual Carl “Chubby” Proffitt Jr. Squad Competition Sept. 7, 2024, at Fort Walker, Virginia. 

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team serve as part of the opposing force of the Oregon National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team during Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 24-09 July 24, 2024, at Fort Johnson, Louisiana. JRTC provides realistic training environments to help prepare units for complex operations. VNG Soldiers operated at the company level for tactical operations and were able to refine their standard operating procedures and battle drills. Lessons learned will also help prepare the 116th for their upcoming JRTC rotation in 2026.
116th IBCT provides OPFOR support for JRTC rotation
Aug. 30, 2024
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided opposing force support during Joint Readiness Training Center rotation 24-09 July 8 - Aug. 3, 2024, at Fort Johnson, Louisiana. 

Sgt. Carter Cooper, an 11B infantryman assigned to the Virginia National Guard, completes the final 12-mile ruck march at the Army National Guard’s 2024 Best Warrior Competition, a 12-mille ruck march, Aug. 8, 2024, at the Ethan Allen Firing Range, near Jericho, Vermont. For five days, the top National Guard Soldiers and noncommissioned officers in the nation faced a series of rigorous challenges, including multiple ruck marches, weapons proficiency tests and a modified biathlon. The top competitors will go on to represent the Army National Guard in the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
Cooper's journey of grit and growth at ARNG's Best Warrior Competition
Aug. 27, 2024
For five arduous days, Sgt. Carter Cooper, one of the top National Guard Soldiers in the nation, tackled challenge after challenge at the 2024 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition, held Aug. 4-8, 2024, at the Ethan Allen Firing Range near Jericho, Vermont. Cooper was one of 14 competitors culled from the nation’s seven regions.

116th IBCT Organization

Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
https://www.facebook.com/116thIBCT/
@116thIBCT

Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team https://www.facebook.com/1stBattalion116thInfantry/

  • Bedford-based Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment
    • Farmville-based Detachment 1, Alpha Company
  • Lexington-based Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment
  • Christiansburg-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment
  • Pulaski-based Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment
    • Martinsville-base Detachment 1, Delta Company
  • Lynchburg-based Golf Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion

Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team https://www.facebook.com/2nd183rdCav/

  • Virginia Beach-based Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment
  • Suffolk-based Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment
  • Virginia Beach-based Charlie Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment
  • Virginia Beach-based Delta Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion
    • Portsmouth-based Detachment 1, Delta Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion

Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team https://www.facebook.com/3rdBattalion116thInfantry/

  • Charlottesville-based Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment
    • Harrisonburg-based Detachment 1, Alpha Company
  • Woodstock-based Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment
  • Leesburg-based Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment
  • Warrenton-based Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment
  • Winchester-based Hotel Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion

Norfok-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team https://www.facebook.com/1stBattalion111thFieldArtillery/

  • Hanover-based Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment
  • Norfolk-based Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment
  • Hampton-based Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment
  • Norfolk-based Foxtrot Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion

Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

https://www.facebook.com/229thBEB/

  • Fredericksburg-based Alpha Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion
  • Bowling Green-based Bravo Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion
  • Fredericksburg-based Charlie Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion
  • Manassas-based Delta Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion
  • Fredericksburg-based Echo Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion

Danville-based 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

https://www.facebook.com/429thBSB/

  • South Boston-based Alpha Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion
  • Richmond-based Bravo Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion
  • Charlottesville-based Charlie Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion