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

Maj. Kim D. Wynn takes command of the Virginia Army National Guard’s Fort Pickett-based Recruiting and Retention Battalion from Lt. Col. Scott A. Nivens during a ceremony March 3, 2023, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General - Army, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Nivens to Wynn. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
Wynn steps into new role at R&R, stresses fairness, dignity, respect
March 21, 2023
What first drew Maj. Kim Wynn to military service was the Army uniform of the 1980s and 90s. Catchy “Be All You Can Be” ads were filling the commercial breaks of her TV time, and she thought the Battle Dress Uniform, or BDU, looked pretty good. There was just something about it that she was attracted to and when she started attending Petersburg High School, she participated in Junior ROTC, and then, when she got to Virginia Tech, she decided to join the Virginia Army National Guard.

Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett claim top honors at the 2023 Virginia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition March 19, 2023, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The 329th’s Spc. Jared Bergman won Soldier of the Year, while MTC’s Staff Sgt. Dan Abbott was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Pfc. Mercer Love and Staff Sgt. Jake Harvey, both assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, were named runners-up. Warrant Officers Saidamir Isramov and Khamza Sharifov, soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan participating in the BWC in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, and their interpreter Khurshed Zakharov were also recognized during the awards ceremony. The four-day event included a swim event, Army Warrior Tasks, a written exam, a physical fitness challenge, an obstacle course, land navigation, a ruck march, a three-gun event and an appearance board. Bergman and Abbott will represent the VNG at the regional-level competition later in 2023. Read more about SPP at https://ngpa.us/24494.
Bergman, Abbott take top honors at 2023 Best Warrior Competition
March 21, 2023
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett took top honors at the Virginia Army National Guard’s 2023 Best Warrior Competition, held March 16 - 19, 2023, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. 

Virginia National Guard Soldiers conduct a medical infantry tactics exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan March 5-10, 2023, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange, which took place at a military installation in Dushanbe, was conducted in support of the Department of Defense's State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.
VNG conducts Tactical Combat Care exchange in Tajikistan
March 20, 2023
Virginia National Guard Soldiers conducted a medical infantry tactics exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan March 5-10, 2023, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange, which took place at a military installation in Dushanbe, was conducted in support of the Department of Defense's State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.

Col. Jared D. Lake and Command Sgt. Maj. Duane D. Wolfe take charge as the new command team for the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. Christopher J. Samulski and Command Sgt. Maj. Irving N. Reed Jr. March 5, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia. Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes, 29th Infantry Division commanding general, presided over the ceremony where Lake took command of the 116th from Samulski and Wolfe assumed responsibility from Reed as the brigade senior enlisted leader. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided music for the event. Read more about the 116th IBCT on va.ng.mil at https://ngpa.us/24351. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear)
116th IBCT welcomes new command team
March 9, 2023
Col. Jared D. Lake and Command Sgt. Maj. Duane D. Wolfe took charge as the new command team for the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. Christopher J. Samulski and Command Sgt. Maj. Irving N. Reed Jr. March 5, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia. Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes, 29th Infantry Division Commanding General, presided over the ceremony where Lake took command of the 116th from Samulski and Wolfe assumed responsibility from Reed as the brigade’s senior enlisted leader.

Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes, 29th Infantry Division commanding general, presents the Governor’s National Service Medal to Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Headquarters March 5, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia, to recognize their federal active duty in Kosovo. Soldiers returned to Virginia in November 2022 after serving as the mission command headquarters for NATO Kosovo Force Regional Command-East since March 2022. As the multi-national brigade assigned to RC - East, the 116th commanded more than 1,000 personnel from 10 different nations to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement throughout Kosovo. Delegates David Reid and Ellen Campbell were also on hand to thank Soldiers for their service. Read more about their mission on va.ng.mil at https://ngpa.us/24352. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear)
116th IBCT Headquarters recognized for federal active duty in Kosovo
March 9, 2023
Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes, 29th Infantry Division commanding general, presented the Governor’s National Service Medal to Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Headquarters March 5, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia, to recognize their federal active duty in Kosovo. Delegates David Reid and Ellen Campbell were also on hand to thank Soldiers for their service.

1116th 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