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VDF assisting in statewide COVID-19 response effect
June 18, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Defense Force continues to augment the COVID-19 response efforts being carried out by the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Emergency Support Team. On a daily average 12 to 13 VDF personnel are on duty with about 35 total members mostly rotating in one or two-week… ...

29th ID CG recognizes Soldiers for outstanding COVID-19 response support
June 18, 2020 — BLACKSBURG, Va. — Maj. Gen. John M. Epperly, commander of the 29th Infantry Division, visited Virginia National Guard Soldiers supporting COVID-19 response efforts June 15, 2020, in Blacksburg, Virginia, and presented his challenge coin for particularly outstanding performance of duty. “There is not much more noble work than what we… ...

VNG AASF reaches top aviation maintenance readiness level
June 18, 2020 — SANDSTON, Va. — After a thoughtful investment in their people and processes, the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility reached the pinnacle of maintenance readiness with 100 percent of their fleet fully mission capable, or FMC. Virginia’s AASF, located in Sandston, Virginia, reached this peak during late spring. Leaders… ...

Donations bring important World War II-era artifacts to VNG collection
June 17, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s historical collection has a wealth of new World War II-era artifacts thanks to generous recent donations from a couple different sources. The donations include the personal effects of Maj. Gen. Edward M. Hudgins, who originally enlisted in the the Virginia National Guard’s Company… ...

429th BSB takes second in national food service competition
June 16, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — After a tight competition with other finalists, the Danville-based Headquarters Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team finished as national runners-up in the 52nd Philip A. Connelly Food Service Competition. The team competed against three other states in the national finals in March… ...

Despite COVID-19, Commonwealth challeNGe marches on with 'Virtual ChalleNGe' for Class 53
June 15, 2020 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The COVID-19 pandemic has led the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy to introduce a “Virtual ChalleNGe,” using video teleconferencing technology for the cadets of Class 53, which began May 18, 2020, with 59 cadets in three platoons. “We would love to get them on campus, but we… ...

Virginia National Guard hosts D-Day observation
June 6, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard hosted a brief observation of the 76th anniversary of D-Day June 6, 2020, at the Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Chief Master Sergeant James J. Profita, the… ...

Virginia National Guard assisting law enforcement
June 5, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are providing direct support to state and local law enforcement to help keep their fellow Virginians safe after Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency May 31, 2020, in response to escalating violence across the Commonwealth. “It is difficult to… ...

VaANG Airmen innovate, adapt as drills become remote
June 2, 2020 — When the shelter-in-place order was issued in Virginia, the state’s National Guard units were no exception to the rule. Regularly scheduled drills in April, May and June were to be conducted remotely, setting a new precedent for education managers and unit leadership to reassess their approach. For Virginia Air National Guardsmen like Master Sgt. Justin Self, an education and training senior noncommissioned officer in charge with the 192nd Security Forces Squadron, this was an opportunity to adapt, innovate and overcome. During April’s drill, Self was successful in leveraging five digital platforms to garner a virtual drill with a 100 percent squadron participation rate. ...

VNG COVID-19 response efforts highlight pride, teamwork for Soldiers
June 2, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. – With more than 500 Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force mobilized in support of the state’s COVID-19 response, everyone has their own story of what their service means to them. For Sgt. Kenneth Wilson, it’s pride. “I’m always proud to help… ...

229th BEB supports operations at Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
June 2, 2020 — FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are lending a hand to help feed citizens in need by supporting the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank as part of COVID-19 response operations. A team of about 35 Soldiers... ...

Rhodes to succeed Epperly as commander of the 29th Infantry Division
May 28, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Brig. Gen. John M. Rhodes has been selected to succeed Maj. Gen. John M. Epperly as the commander of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, according to an announcement made May 22, 2020, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. The assignment will… ...

Virginia's fallen remember at Commonwealth's Memorial Day Ceremony
May 27, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The 64th Annual Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony honored and remembered the military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation May 25, 2020, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Carlos Hopkins and Spc. Neil… ...

Red Dragons assist Roanoke fist responders with flood evacuations
May 22, 2020 — ROANOKE, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assisted with flood response and rescue operations in the Roanoke, Virginia, area after days of heavy rains resulted in major flooding in and around the city. Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team supported rescue… ...

VNG continues to support state COVID-19 response
May 21, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has more than 530 personnel actively working or ready to support the Commonwealth of Virginia’s COVID-19 response as of May 21, 2020. VNG Soldiers, Airmen, and members of the Virginia Defense Force are conducting numerous missions including sample collection for COVID-19 testing, N95 […] ...

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