Virginia National Guard

VNG providing dual-status commander for state, federal COVID-19 support
April 20, 2021 — NORFOLK, Va. — With Title 10 federal active duty troops augmenting the state’s COVID-19 vaccination effort, the Virginia National Guard has provided a dual-status commander to manage state and federal forces... MORE

Brig. Gen. James W. Ring provides an update to Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander March 31, 2021,at a community vaccination clinic at the Military Circle Mall in Norfolk, Virginia. Ring serves as a dual-status commander for Title 10 and Title 32 forces supporting the COVID-19 response in Virginia.

Pillion succeeds Gravely as MTC garrison commander
April 20, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Col. Timothy D. Pillion took command of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett from Col. Paul C. Gravely during a ceremony April 16, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, presided over the traditional exchange of colors symbolizing the transfer of the garrison command from Gravely to Pillion. ... MORE

Col. Timothy D. Pillion takes command of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett from Col. Paul C. Gravely during a ceremony April 16, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

VNG supporting Community Vaccination Clinic in Nottoway County
April 19, 2021 — BLACKSTONE, Va. – The Virginia National Guard is supporting a Community Vaccination Clinic opened April 19, 2021, by the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Health to administer COVID-19 vaccinations at the VNG armory in Blackstone, Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen support a Community Vaccination Clinic opened April 19, 2021, by the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to administer COVID-19 vaccinations at the VNG armory in Blackstone, Virginia.

Here to stay: 192nd Wing celebrates first dedicated HQ facility at JBLE
April 8, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Wing celebrated the opening of its first dedicated headquarters facility on the Hampton installation with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 31, 2021... MORE

U.S. military leaders cutting a ribbon during a ceremony

Spanberger, Cline rep tour VNG aviation facility
April 7, 2021 — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger visited the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility March 29, 2021, to learn more about the complex mission of the VNG’s aviation assets and the need for a new aviation support facility. Spanberger was joined by a member of Rep. Ben Cline’s staff and received briefings from Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and other VNG senior leaders. The group also toured the current facility and conducted an aerial tour on board a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter of the proposed location for the future facility, as well as key VNG facilities in the Richmond area... MORE

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger visits the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility March 29, 2021, near the Richmond International Airport. Spanberger was joined by a member of Rep. Ben Cline’s staff and received briefings from Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and other VNG senior leaders to discuss the complex mission of the VNG’s aviation assets and the need for a new aviation support facility. The group also toured the current AASF, and conducted an aerial tour of the proposed location for the future facility, as well as key VNG facilities in the Richmond area. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

VNG Endurance Team seeking team members
April 7, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Endurance Team is seeking additional members! Soldiers interested in becoming part of this elite team will need to attend the DEKA STRONG National Guard Challenge May 21-23, 2021, at the National Guard Professional Education Center in Arkansas. Based on event results, Soldiers may be selected to represent the Virginia National Guard at the National Guard Endurance Team tryouts Aug. 27-30, 2021, also at PEC. ... MORE

Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard compete in the All Guard DEKA FIT competition March 27, 2021, in Dallas, Texas.(US Army Photo by SGT Jesse Elbouab, 133rd MPAD)

VaANG breaks ground on its first MILCON project since relocation to JBLE
April 6, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va - Virginia National Guard leaders welcomed community representatives to the installation in Hampton on March 31, 2021, to celebrate the 192nd Wing’s first military construction project since its move from Sandston in 2007. U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, Adjutant General of Virginia Maj. Gen. Timothy Williams and 192nd Wing Commander Col. Christopher Batterton each grabbed a shovel to ceremoniously break ground on what is to become a permanent headquarters facility for the unit’s 185th Cyber Operations Squadron... MORE

Three men wearing hard hats ceremoniously turn dirt during a ground breaking ceremony

Explosives detection training lane at MTC dedicated to fallen VNG Soldiers
April 6, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Current and former Virginia National Guard Soldiers and guests attended a dedication ceremony for the new Banks-Lambert Handheld Detection Lane March 26, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The explosives detection training lane was dedicated and named for Sgt. Derek R. Banks and Sgt. David E. Lambert, who were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device Oct. 25, 2007... MORE

Current and former Virginia National Guard Soldiers and guests attend a dedication ceremony for the new Banks-Lambert Handheld Detection Lane March 26, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 72 cadets from Class 54
April 2, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia- The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 72 cadets from Class 54 during a ceremony March 20, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walt Mercer, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, joined ChalleNGe staff members in congratulating the cadets during the socially-distant ceremony, which was live streamed for family members and friends to view online... MORE

Virginia Army Guard recruiters snag top spots after regional recruiting boards
April 1, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — In mid-March, a select few of Virginia’s Army National Guard recruiters traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a chance to be named top among their regional peers. Sgt. 1st Class Brian Adams was named the region’s top recruiting noncommissioned officer, Sgt. Dakota Baughan was named the region’s top rookie recruiter, and Master Sgt. Jessica Dickenson earned the region’s runner-up spot for top section chief... MORE

Gettysburg, Pa. - Maj. Scott Nivens (far left), commander of the Virginia National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion, poses with Virginia's top recruiters with Sgt. Maj. Stephen Koptchak (far right), at the Region II Strength Maintenance Advisory Group meeting in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (Courtesy photo)

VNG WOCs check off milestones on way toward course completion
April 1, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s warrant officer candidates hit a few milestones during their March drill weekend. On March 19th, 2021, candidates volunteered at the Chesterfield Food Bank where they helped sort, load and distribute thousands of pounds of food to hundreds of local residents. Then, on the following day, they presented their class song and sign to Col. Charles B. Martin, commander of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute... MORE

Warrant officer candidates enrolled in the Virginia National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School present their class song and sign to Col. Charles B. Martin, commander of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, March 20, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The class includes both U.S. National Guard Soldiers from Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, and U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers. The candidates will head south to Fort McClellan, Alabama, in at the end of April to begin Phase III and the final step toward becoming warrant officers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt.1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

124th CPB first VNG battalion with all-female staff
March 29, 2021 — FORT MEADE, Md. – For Lt. Col. Christina Perronie, Maj. Michele Spangler, Capt. Anabel Montano-Vargas, Capt. Katie Kerr and Capt. Vanessa Rodriguez, 2020 proved exceptionally memorable. These women, all assigned to the Fairfax-based 124th Cyber Protection Battalion, 91st Cyber Brigade, not only mobilized, but also comprised the first known all-female staff within the Virginia Army National Guard, as well as Task Force Echo... MORE

Newest R&R 1SG talks resilience, family balance
March 25, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — First Sgt. Ebony Bridges, assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, said reaching her current rank is something she’s incredibly proud of. As a Black woman, the road to her current position hasn’t always been easy, and there was a point when she thought she’d never be promoted past sergeant first class. But, she stayed the course and kept giving her best to the organization... MORE

First Sgt. Ebony Bridges promotes one of her Soldiers during ceremony held March 24, 2021, in Richmond, Virginia. Bridges is assigned to Bravo Company of the Virginia National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Large-scale, short-notice D.C. mission requires massive transportation effort
March 24, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. – When more than 2,400 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen traveled to Washington, D.C., in January 2021, to assist civilian law enforcement with security operations before and after the 59th Presidential Inauguration, the large-scale, short-notice mission in the middle of a pandemic required a transportation plan unique to all involved. required a massive transportation plan unique to all involved... MORE

1-116th, MTC Soldiers claim titles at 2021 VNG Best Warrior Competition
March 24, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett have claimed top honors at the 2021 VNG Best Warrior Competition, which concluded with an awards ceremony March 21, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett claim top honors at the 2021 VNG Best Warrior Competition, held March 18-21, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

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