Virginia National Guard

Virginia’s fallen honored at Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony
May 28, 2018 — Virginians from all branches of the Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to the United States of America were remembered May 28, 2018, at the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. Virginia. Ten Virginia National Guard Soldiers have been killed by hostile enemy action since Sept. 11, 2001, and they are among the more than 300 Virginians remembered on the Wall of Honor at the Memorial... MORE

Enlisted IT expert takes lead at Cyber Shield 18
May 24, 2018 — A shadow warrior’s face, lit by Liquid Crystal Displays with Light Emitting Diode backlighting, remains inscrutable to the public eye. Unknown, unsung, he targets enemy and hostile adversaries via integrated and synchronized cyberspace operations, the fifth dimension of warfare. He works on a handful of computers simultaneously, conducting cyber opposing force support, network warfare activities and cyberspace intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. He provides mission command to network warfare teams, cyber analysis teams and cyber support teams, offering operational direction and guidance in the conduct of cyberspace operations... MORE

Joint change of command brings new leadership to 192nd Maintenance Group and Squadron
May 22, 2018 — The 192nd Fighter Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, held a joint change of command ceremony for the 192nd Maintenance Group and Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Feb. 25, 2018, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Lt. Col. Sarah M. Beck, former 192nd Maintenance Operations Flight commander, assumed command of the 192nd AMXS from Col. Catherine M. Jumper. Jumper then assumed command of the 192nd MXG... MORE

Virginia NCO & Maryland Soldier named best warriors in the region
May 22, 2018 — The 2018 Region II Best Warrior Competition brought Soldiers and NCOs from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. to Fort Pickett May 17-20, 2018. After days of physical and mental challenges that had the region’s best Soldiers leaping over obstacles, knocking down targets and testing their military knowledge, Virginia National Guardsman Sgt. Jake Moyer was named the region’s top noncommissioned officer, while Maryland’s Spc. Gerald Villamar was named the top Soldier. The winners from the regional competition will go on to compete at the national level this summer... MORE

Contracting Teams conduct training exercise at Fort Belvoir
May 15, 2018 — Ten Virginia Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 1945th Contingency Contracting Team, 329th Regional Support Group conducted a multi-component operational contract support culminating training event May 1-11, 2018, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard cuts ribbon at new state headquarters
May 14, 2018 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, members of the Virginia Defense Force, friends and family members joined distinguished guests at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Virginia National Guard’s newly-built Joint Force Headquarters building May 14, 2018, at Defense Supply Center Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia. U.S. Senator Mark Warner, First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and Brig. Gen. Linda S. Hurry, commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond, joined Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Ferris, Virginia National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader, in forming the official party who cut the ribbon on the new facility. The 102,000 square foot, $30 million building is the first structure purpose built to serve as a headquarters for the Virginia National Guard in its 411 year history... MORE

Vigilant Guard exercise prepares Virginia National Guard, partners for hurricane season
May 12, 2018 — More than 2,000 National Guard personnel from six states and Washington, D.C., took part in the Vigilant Guard 18-3 emergency response exercise May 7-10, 2018, at multiple locations in Virginia. The goal of the exercise was to improve response to a natural disaster and enhance relationships with local, state and federal emergency response partners. It simulated a Category 4 hurricane making landfall in Virginia and exercised how the Virginia National Guard would assist in the state’s response with a full mobilization of personnel and coordination to bring in additional National Guard capabilities to help the state’s response effort... MORE

Officer candidates prep for final phase of OCS
May 7, 2018 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Officer candidates from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C., spent a long weekend in May preparing for the third and final phase of Officer Candidate School during a regional Field Level Exercise held May 4-6, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Approximately 30 National Guard officer candidates from Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Washington, D.C., train together during a regional Field Level Exercise May 5, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The exercise aimed to prepare the candidates for the third and final phase of Office Candidate School, which they will attend later this summer. (U.S. National Guard photo by Terra C. Gatti)

Officer candidates prep for final phase of OCS
May 7, 2018 — Officer candidates from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C., spent a long weekend in May preparing for the third and final phase of Officer Candidate School during a regional Field Level Exercise held May 4-6, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

VDF supports local law enforcement at Winchester festival
May 7, 2018 — Members of the Virginia Defense Force operated traffic control points and provided mission command support May 4-5, 2018, at the 91st Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia. Members of the all-volunteer VDF from units across the state assisted local law enforcement in keeping traffic moving and operated more than 50 TCPs during a variety of events over the two days. The VDF also took advantage of the mission to train on multiple communication systems and rehearse administrative, mission command and logistics procedures they would use if they were called to state active duty to augment the Virginia National Guard... MORE

Epperly takes command of 29th Infantry Division
May 6, 2018 — Brig. Gen. John M. Epperly took command of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, Army National Guard, from Maj. Gen. Blake C. Ortner during a traditional change of command ceremony May 5, 2018, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau, presided over the exchange of unit colors that represented the transfer of command from Ortner to Epperly... MORE

203rd RED HORSE welcomes new commander
May 3, 2018 — After more than four years of serving as commander of the 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Squadron, Lt. Col. J. Stock Dinsmore relinquished command to Lt. Col. Jeffrey E. Getz during a change of command ceremony April 14, 2018, at Camp Pendleton State Military Reserve in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard commissions four new officers
May 2, 2018 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia National Guard welcomed four newly-commissioned second lieutenants to its ranks April 29, 2018, during a commissioning ceremony held at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The new lieutenants were all graduates of the Virginia National Guard’s Officer Candidate School Class 61A. ... MORE

Second Lt. Abando A. Nkwanyou receives his lieutenant bars during a commissioning ceremony held April 29, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Virginia National Guard to host Vigilant Guard emergency response exercise
May 2, 2018 — More than 2,000 National Guard personnel from six states and Washington, D.C., will take part in the Vigilant Guard 18-3 emergency response exercise May 7-10, 2018, at multiple locations in Virginia to improve their ability to respond to a natural disaster and enhance relationships with local, state and federal emergency response partners. The event will simulate a Category 4 hurricane making landfall in Virginia and exercise how the Virginia National Guard would assist in the state’s response with a full mobilization of personnel and coordination to bring in additional National Guard capabilities to help the state’s response effort... MORE

Virginia National Guard commissions four new officers
May 2, 2018 — The Virginia National Guard welcomed four newly-commissioned second lieutenants to its ranks April 29, 2018, during a commissioning ceremony held at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The new lieutenants were all graduates of the Virginia National Guard’s Officer Candidate School Class 61A... MORE

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