Virginia National Guard

NCO induction ceremony held for 12 new aviation battalion NCOs
May 17, 2021 — SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division welcomed 12 Soldiers to the noncommissioned officer corps during an NCO Induction Ceremony held April 18, 2021, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia. The ceremony honored those Soldiers promoted to the rank of sergeant over the last two years... MORE

Zana succeeds Flora as Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commander
May 17, 2021 — CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, the outgoing Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) commanding general, transferred responsibility to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana during a change of command ceremony. U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), presided over the ceremony... MORE

Virginia Air National Guard engineers return from Southwest Asia
May 7, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — More than 100 Virginia Air National Guard engineers reunited with family, friends and fellow Airmen May 5, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, after serving on federal active duty in Southwest Asia since October 2020. Virginia National Guard senior leaders were also on hand to thank them for their service and welcome them home. Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, or RED HORSE, were responsible for 15 engineer projects in six countries in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel... MORE

Funeral Honors Program hosts training for active-duty Soldiers
May 4, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program hosted basic funeral honors training for 30 U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Fort Eustis-based 7th Transportation Brigade April 19-23, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Recruiters team up with Habitat for Humanity to "Raise the Roof"
May 4, 2021 — NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — For Sgt. Austin Sturtz, a recruiter assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, the opportunity to support the local Habitat for Humanity’s “Raise the Roof” event in Newport News, Virginia, sounded like a great one... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Recruiting & Retention Battalion volunteer their time with the Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg Organization April 21, 2021, in Newport News, Virginia. The Soldiers helped Habitat build and repair a home in the Newport News area while reinforcing and reflecting community pride and teamwork. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Virginia National Guard welcomes nine new officers
May 4, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Army National Guard welcomed nine new lieutenants to their ranks in a ceremony held April 25, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The new lieutenants are part of the Virginia National Guard’s winter accelerated Officer Candidate School Class 64A. Col. Doyle Gillis, the Virginia National Guard’s director of manpower and personnel, served as the guest speaker for the event, while Lt. Col. James C. Shaver, commander of 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, administered the oath of office. ... MORE

Nine Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates celebrate their graduation from Officer Candidate School April 25, 2021, at a ceremony held at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The candidates, all part of the winter accelerated Class 64A, took the oath of office and were then pinned with second lieutenant rank by family and friends. Col. Doyle Gillis, the Virginia National Guard’s director of manpower and personnel, served as the guest speaker. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

MTC marks Earth Day with tree planting
May 3, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and civilian employees of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett planted two trees at the MTC garrison headquarters in honor of Earth Day April 22, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and civilian employees of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett plant two trees at the MTC garrison headquarters in honor of Earth Day April 22, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

VaANG maintainers rebuild F-22 Raptor after collapse on JBLE flight line
May 1, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- For the first time in his more than 20 year career, Master Sgt. Christopher Plath held his breath and felt the intense pressure during the take off and landing of F-22 tail #85 on April 9, 2021. As a flight chief in the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Plath stayed quietly in command of his exclusive team of Virginia Air National Guard maintainers, advising them to stay focused even while a crowd of onlookers started to gather on the Langley flight line in hopes of witnessing the end result of what Plath said were long, tireless hours. ... MORE

An F-22 crew chief watches on as the pilot prepares to take flight in the aircraft.

Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group to deploy to Middle East in Fall 2021
April 30, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based Headquarters, 329th Regional Support Group has received a mobilization order for federal active duty in the Middle East, according to an announcement made April 29, 2021, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. In Fall 2021, more than 80 Soldiers assigned to the 329th will begin a 10-month deployment in the Central Command Area of Operations under the operational control of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve serving as the base operating support-integrator for multiple installations... MORE

SMP prepares cadets for future training, paves pathway for success
April 26, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. -- Cadets enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program, or SMP, spent three days honing their military skills April 16-18, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Approximately 80 cadets from universities across Virginia attended... MORE

Cadets enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program take to the skies on board UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters April 18, 2021, during a three-day field training exercise at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The cadets came together from universities across the state and spent the weekend gaining familiarity with military tasks. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Lexington-based infantry company recognized for support to Lynchburg Police Department
April 21, 2021 — LEXINGTON, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lexington-based Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were honored by the Lynchburg Police Department April 4, 2021, for their support to civilian law enforcement during protests in Lynchburg in June 2020... MORE

Lynchburg Police Chief Ryan Zuidema presents a flag flown over the headquarter building of the Lynchburg Police Department to Lt. Col. Jim Tierney, commander of 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, as a thank you for support support to civilian law enforcement during protests in Lynchburg in June 2020.

Sen. Kaine thanks 229th Chemical Co. Soldiers during ceremony
April 21, 2021 — ROCKY MOUNT, Va. — U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine visited with and thanked Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Rocky Mount-based 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group during a ceremony celebrating the unit’s recent successes April 10, 2021, in Rocky Mount, Virginia. ... MORE

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine visits with and thanks Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Rocky Mount-based 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group during a ceremony April 10, 2021, in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

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.

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