Virginia National Guard

New artifacts on display soon thanks to volunteer efforts
October 5, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Several new macro artifacts are being readied for permanent display outside of the Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, including a 1955-dated M42 Duster which has been renovated with volunteer work over the last year... MORE

VNG couples laugh their way to stronger marriage
October 5, 2020 — WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Approximately eight Virginia National Guard couples attended a Strong Bonds weekend retreat Sept. 11-13, 2020, at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia. The event focused on using humor to strengthen their marriages and improve communication skills. “As you can see, this is not an Army PowerPoint presentation,” said Capt. Will Cochrane, a chaplain assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters. “This is an entertaining, funny presentation and you can hear folks laughing and enjoying themselves, interacting and connecting and having a good time.” ... MORE

Rhodes succeeds Epperly as 29th Infantry Division commander
October 5, 2020 — FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes took command of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. John M. Epperly Oct. 3, 2020, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Lt. Gen. Jon A. Jensen, Director of the Army National Guard, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Epperly to Rhodes... MORE

VNG Soldiers compete in All-Guard Marathon trials
October 2, 2020 — OMAHA, Neb. — Three Virginia National Guard Soldiers competed for a spot on the elite All-Guard Marathon Team during National Guard Marathon Time Trials, held during the Omaha Marathon Sept. 20, 2020, in Omaha, Nebraska. More than 125 National Guard runners from 34 states and territories competed in the race... MORE

Military service stretches across country borders for Nemec family
September 30, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — For many, the stories that are handed down through generations have a strong influence on those who listen. Staff Sgt. Erick Nemec, assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division, grew up hearing stories about his family’s military service in the Peru Armed Forces and their stories helped lead him to his own military career... MORE

DMA hosts orientation for new employees
September 23, 2020 — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs hosted five new employees for a quarterly New Employee Orientation Class Sept. 1, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Four new state employees and one Virginia National Guard Soldier on Active Duty for Operational Support orders attended the course. The orientation is a one-day course hosted by DMA leadership including retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, the DMA chief operations officer, and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Tim White, the DMA instructor and trainer. The goal of the program is to not only cover the administrative aspects of in-processing new state workers, but also to help familiarize them with the agency and its organization... MORE

203rd RED HORSE Airmen depart for federal deployment
September 21, 2020 — Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing made final preparations and departed for an overseas federal active duty deployment Sept. 12, 2020, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, visited with Airmen Sept. 9, and recognized outstanding Airmen and offered words of encouragement... MORE

Cav Soldiers recognize Smithfield VFW for support
September 21, 2020 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Suffolk-based Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recognized and thanked members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545 in Smithfield, Virginia, during a unit awards ceremony Sept. 11, 2020, in Suffolk, Virginia. Bravo Troop and Post 8545 came together under the VFW’s Adopt-a-Unit program. According to the VFW more than 121,000 military and family members are actively supported by VFW Posts and Auxiliaries through the VFW Adopt-a-Unit program... MORE

Suicide Intervention Officer course trains leaders to help fellow Soldiers in crisis
September 15, 2020 — More than 20 Soldiers from around the Virginia National Guard participated in a Suicide Intervention Officer Course Aug. 25-27, 2020, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The three-day course, which is offered bi-monthly by the Virginia National Guard Suicide Prevention Program, provides training and resources for unit SIOs to help Soldiers who are thinking of or acting on suicide... MORE

Suicide Intervention Officer course provides training, resources

National Guard Soldier discusses pride of service
September 14, 2020 — Every Virginia National Guard Soldier plays a part in ensuring mission success and for Spc. Silvia Cavalier, an 88M Motor Transport Operator, recognizing her impact and the impact of her unit was easy... MORE

Va. National Guard resuming COVID-19 response support
September 8, 2020 — Approximately 85 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are trained and ready to resume support for Virginia’s COVID-19 response Sept. 8, 2020, and they are available to conduct COVID-19 sample test collection and training on the proper fit and wear of personal protective equipment. They spent about a week training and and preparing to include training with Virginia Department of Health medical professionals Sept. 4. The VNG will also provide regional planners to support Virginia Department of Emergency Management and VDH priorities for COVID-19 response... MORE

A new normal: VaANG recruiters go digital
September 8, 2020 — As students begin the fall semester with virtual learning, recruiters in the Virginia Air National Guard are contending with their ability to meet the possible recruits in the new socially distant environment. There is no specific strategy or playbook for recruiting through a pandemic, but one thing is understood; recruiters must meet students where they are — online... MORE

203rd RED HORSE helps with AASF improvements
September 3, 2020 — Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Squadron, 192nd Wing, completed several improvement projects July 27 – Aug. 7, 2020, at the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia. During the two-week project, the RED HORSE engineers removed a large earthen berm to make room Aviators to conduct Army Combat Fitness Tests, as well as made some improvements to the facility’s flight line... MORE

34th CST completes challenging two-day training exercise at SMR
September 3, 2020 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team completed a challenging two-day training exercise August 25 and 27, 2020, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The 34th CST supports first responders during potential hazardous materials incidents involving possible chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive threats and can identify unknown substances, assess current and projected consequences, advise an incident commander on response measures and assist with requests for additional state support. During this exercise, the team was presented with a unique scenario involving a mock planned CBRNE attack at a large music festival... MORE

1710th receives 48 new flatbed trailers at Fort Pickett
August 28, 2020 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, helped unload and receive 48 brand new flatbed trailers August 18, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. With the help of a crane and a team of specialized civilian contractors from Tank Automotive Command in Warren, Michigan, the Soldiers assisted in the unstacking and movement of 48 new M872A4 40-foot, 34-ton flatbed semitrailers... MORE

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