Virginia National Guard

VNG aviation battalion ends mission in Kosovo
October 14, 2022 — The Virginia National Guard's Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division officially ended its mission in Kosovo as Kosovo Force’s Regional Command-East welcomed the Soldiers of their new aviation task force during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 11, 2022, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo... MORE

VNG celebrates 18 new OCS graduates
October 14, 2022 — The Virginia Army National Guard welcomed 18 officer candidates from Officer Candidate School classes 64, 65A and 65B during a ceremony held Sept. 18, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Eighteen officer candidates enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School traditional and accelerated program celebrate their OCS graduation Sept. 18, 2022 at a ceremony held at Fort Pickett’s 183rdRegiment, Regional Training Institute in front of family, friends, fellow Soldiers and leaders. The graduation included candidates from OCS Class 64, as well as 65A and 65B. Retired Col. Fred Bolton served as the guest speaker for the event and Lt. Col. Eric Quinn administered the oath of office to the new lieutenants. The Troutville-based 29th Division Band provided ceremonial music for the occasion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Cyber Fortress exercise brings together federal, state, private sector partners
October 10, 2022 — Approximately 20 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen took part in the Cyber Fortress exercise with numerous public and private sector partners including Dominion Energy, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Department of Information Technology, the Virginia State Police and other local, state and federal organizations Sept. 21-30, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

VNG supports statewide severe weather response
October 4, 2022 — After staging Soldiers and Airmen with tactical trucks and chain saws at multiple locations across the state for possible severe weather response, the Virginia National Guard transitioned back to routine operations Oct. 4, 2022... MORE

VNG staged, ready in Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads areas for possible weather response operations

SMP cadet trains alongside British Army in training abroad opportunity
October 4, 2022 — Cadet Jack Milenski knocked a long-time goal off his bucket list when he spent the spring of his sophomore year training alongside the British Army in the United Kingdom. Milenski, enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program and now a junior at the Virginia Military Institute, experienced a semester abroad at the University of Salford, outside Manchester, England... MORE

Cadet Jack Milenski knocked a long-time goal off his bucket list when he spent the spring of his sophomore year training alongside the British Army in the United Kingdom. Milenski, enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program and now a junior at the Virginia Military Institute, experienced a semester abroad at the University of Salford, outside Manchester, England.

VNG State Tuition Assistance Program updated to reimbursement model
October 4, 2022 — Due to a change in state legislation, the Virginia National Guard’s State Tuition Assistance Program, or STAP, will move to a reimbursement model beginning Sept. 15, 2022, with the opening of the application period for the spring 2023 semester. Previously, grants provided under the STAP were paid directly to schools at the start of each semester. Under the new model, students who participate in STAP will be reimbursed following successful completion of their courses at the end of the semester. The change is the next step in the Adjutant General of Virginia’s long-term goal of having the General Assembly approve free tuition at Virginia colleges and universities for Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard staged and ready for possible severe weather response operations
September 30, 2022 — The Virginia National Guard has staged approximately 60 Soldiers and Airmen at key locations in the Abingdon, Roanoke, Richmond and Virginia Beach areas for possible severe weather response operations related to Hurricane Ian Sept. 30, 2022, and they are prepared to provide high mobility transportation and debris reduction assistance if needed... MORE

VNG Soldiers staged, ready for possible Hurricane Ian response operations

MTC leaders gain historical insights during staff ride
September 30, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett attended a senior leader staff ride to Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park Sept. 18, 2022, in Rice, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard installation, brigade and battalion command selections announced
September 28, 2022 — The Adjutant General of Virginia announced officers who have been selected for command in the Virginia National Guard at the instillation, brigade and battalion level... MORE

Virginia Guard SGM completes master's with USASMA Fellowship Program
September 27, 2022 — In 2021, Sgt. Maj. Jon Whaley was selected for the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program. Now, he’s partway through the program, and holds a Master of Science degree in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University’s School of Education... MORE

Sgt. Maj. Jon Whaley graduates with a Masters of Science degree in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University’s School of Education during a ceremony held Aug. 23, 2022, at Fort Bliss, Texas. Whaley is participating in the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program.

Ceremony officially opens new headquarters for 91st Cyber Brigade
September 22, 2022 — Virginia National Guard senior leaders and Soldiers assigned to the 91st Cyber Brigade joined distinguished guests and former members of the unit at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 91st’s new headquarters building Sept. 16, 2022, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia... MORE

Briefing helps VNG Soldiers plan for retirement
September 20, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to units across the state attended an annual retirement briefing Sept. 10, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The training was conducted by the Virginia Army National Guard G1 Personnel Directorate Retirement Services Office, led by Tanisha Roberts. ... MORE

TF Red Dragon conducts transfer of authority, ends mission in Horn of Africa
September 20, 2022 — Virginia and Kentucky National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, known as Task Force Red Dragon, conducted a transfer of authority ceremony Sept. 19, 2022, to officially end their security mission for Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, known as Task Force Wolfhound, assumed responsibility for the mission. Approximately 1,000 Soldiers from across Virginia and Kentucky began serving on federal active duty on Nov. 27, 2021. With their mission complete, they will return to Virginia and Kentucky in the coming weeks... MORE

VNG teams take second, third at regional marksmanship competition
September 19, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airman assigned to units across the Commonwealth made a strong showing at the Marksmanship Advisory Council Region II match, with VNG teams taking second and third place overall at the competition Aug. 26 - 28, 2022, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. ... MORE

Orientation course prepares new DMA workers for success
September 19, 2022 — New Virginia Department of Military Affairs employees completed the DMA New Employee Orientation Course Sept. 8, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

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