Virginia National Guard

Batterton to succeed Piper as the commander of 192nd Wing
December 2, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. -- Col. Christopher G. Batterton will succeed Col. Mark Piper as the commander of the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Wing based at Langley Air Force Base, according to an announcement made Nov. 6, 2020, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. The assignment is effective Jan. 3, 2021... MORE

Col. Christopher G. Batterton will succeed Col. Mark Piper as the commander of the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Wing based at Langley Air Force Base, according to an announcement made Nov. 6, 2020, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia.

Soldier's 80-lb weight loss journey leads to military service
December 2, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — When he was 17, Staff Sgt. Roger Jackson struggled with his weight. At 5 feet, 7 inches tall, he weighed in at around 250 pounds. “Over the years, I had been made fun of, bullied, talked about, put down, denied certain extracurricular activities, criticized, etcetera because of my weight,” Jackson said. None of that did much to boost his self-esteem or confidence, but eventually he decided to try out for his high school’s basketball team... MORE

Staff Sgt. Roger Jackson, assigned to the 183rd Regional Regiment, Training Institute, weighed 250 lbs at the age of 17 (left), lost 80 lbs and today maintains a high-level of physical and mental toughness through regular and consistent training.

HART partnership cited as career highlight for participants
December 1, 2020 — CHESTERFIELD, Va. — For nearly a decade, Virginia National Guard flight crews have worked alongside technicians from the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team. Over those many years, the two organizations created, built and grew Virginia’s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART. Since the program’s inception in 2011, the HART has deployed for hurricane response, flown countless hours over the waterways and landscapes of Virginia and now boasts approximately 20 trained technicians. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard flight crews train with Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team members on rescue hoist operations Nov. 19, 2020, in Chesterfield, Virginia. Together, the Virginia aviators and Chesterfield first responders form the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART. Their training focused on conducting litter hoists and is part of an ongoing partnership that first began in 2011.

Gallagher discusses importance of mentorship at DMA event
December 1, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, spoke to participants in the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Workforce Development Mentoring Program during an event Nov. 19, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, speaks to participants in the Virginia Department of Military Affairs’ mentorship program during an event Nov. 19, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Dual military couple says finding each other is best military perk
November 17, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The challenges of being a dual-military couple are balanced by the benefits. On one hand, couples share the experience of military service, which can be a foundation for strength for many. On the other hand, these couples face the challenge of juggling two military careers with the demands of family life... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Robichaud and Staff Sgt. Sara Robichaud, both assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard, pose with their children. The two have more than 20 years of combined service and enjoy the life the military has given them and their children.

Veterans Day honors service, sacrifice
November 16, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Because of the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia National Guard participation in Veterans Day events was greatly reduced, but the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces was still honored and recognized... MORE

Staff Sgt. Eddie B. Jones leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the 64th annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11, 2020, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia.

IVAS draws Army senior leaders to MTC Fort Pickett
November 16, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. -- Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett played host to United States Department of Defense and Army leadership in October 2020, as they visited Soldier Touchpoint 3 of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) training at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Soldier tests the Capability Set 3 (CS3) militarized form factor prototype of the Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) during a life fire test event at its third Soldier Touchpoint (STP 3) at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Martin assumes command of 192nd Support Squadron
November 16, 2020 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Support Squadron gained a new commander, Maj. Fallon Martin, during an assumption of command ceremony Nov. 8, 2020, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia... MORE

Two Airmen pose for a photo with the squadron's guidon flag

Upgrade: Popular range at MTC gets major renovation
November 16, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — After a nearly year-long renovation project, the Multi-Purpose Range Complex at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett, Virginia, was formally reopened with a ceremony Nov. 6, 2020... MORE

A Tennessee National Guard Bradley fighting vehicle sends rounds downrange during a re-opening ceremony for the Multi-Purpose Range Complex Nov. 6, 2020, at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett, Virginia.

New Soldier & Family Readiness Program provides true one-stop shop for VNG Soldiers, family members
November 13, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. -- In recent months, Virginia National Guard Family Programs has undergone significant changes. The Soldier and Family Readiness Program has transitioned to one all encompassing program to provide assistance and support to Soldiers and their families. This has taken place with programs nationwide and has been put into effect by National Guard Bureau... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldier and Family Readiness Specialists provide assistance and non-medical case management to service members and families on a variety of subjects.

VDF welcomes new command sergeant major
November 10, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Command Sgt. Maj. (Va.) Tony Kegley took responsibility as the Virginia Defense Force command sergeant major from Command Sgt. Maj. (Va.) Alan Grandis Nov. 7, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Col. (Va.) David James, the VDF deputy commander, presided over the ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors representing the change of responsibility from Grandis to Kegley... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Kegley takes responsibility as the Virginia Defense Force command sergeant major from Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Grandis Nov. 7, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

VaARNG, VDF chaplains celebrate ongoing partnership
November 6, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Chaplains from the Virginia Army National Guard and Virginia Defense Force recognized the retirement of Lt. Col. (Va.) David C. Lagerveld, the VDF’s senior chaplain, and the ongoing partnership with VDF chaplains providing support at Fort Pickett during a lunch held in October in the Richmond area... MORE

Capt. (Va.) Deb O'Neil-Lewis, a chaplain with the Virginia Defense Force, leads a field service during the Summer 2020 annual training season at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

VNG Soldiers, Airmen continue COVID-19 response support
November 5, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen continue to conduct COVID-19 response mission support across the commonwealth, providing key testing sample collection and personal protective equipment fit testing capabilities in support of the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Emergency Management. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers train civilians from various agencies to conduct N95 respirator mask fit testings Nov. 3, 2020, at Old Dominion EMS Alliance in Henrico County, Virginia.

VaANG maintainers take home six annual awards, most prestigious in the field
November 4, 2020 — Two Virginia Air National Guard Airmen have been named winners for what’s known as the most prominent award in the Air Force maintenance field. Capt. Andrew Gibler and Master Sgt. William Marshall from the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are this year’s Gen. Lew Allen Jr. Award winners at the Air National Guard-level. The two competed against Airmen from more than 80 other ANG units with flying missions and will go on to compete at the Air Force-level in the coming months. Winners at the Air Force-level receive their trophies from the current Chief of Staff of the Air Force in a special ceremony held at the Pentagon each year. ... MORE

photo of an Airman standing on the flightline

Funeral Honors Program continues to honor veterans during pandemic
November 3, 2020 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the VNG Military Funeral Honors Program are continuing to provide services for deceased veterans across the Commonwealth despite challenges from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the VNG Military Funeral Honors Program conduct a training session Oct. 22, 2020, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Archive by Year

News Archive by Category