Virginia National Guard

Saber Soldiers demonstrate superior scouting skills during annual training
August 12, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team competed against each other in a multi-day training and testing event Aug. 6-9, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Command post exercise tests 529th CSSB’s readiness
August 11, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, conducted a Command Post Exercise – Function, or CPX-F, Aug. 4-9, 2017, during annual training at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The exercise assessed the unit’s ability to plan sustainment support in a simulated forward-deployed expeditionary environment... MORE

Flora thanks Vietnam Veterans at bridge naming ceremony
August 10, 2017 — Brig. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives, expressed his appreciation for the service of Vietnam Veterans as the keynote speaker at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge naming ceremony Aug. 3, 2017, in Radford, Virginia. He also assisted members of the General William Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Delegate Nick Rush in unveiling the new sign for the bridge... MORE

Va. Guard briefs Hampton Roads emergency managers on response capabilities
August 10, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provided an overview of the emergency response planning process and static displays of Guard capabilities for the Hampton Roads Emergency Management Committee meeting Aug. 8, 2017, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The working group meeting provided an opportunity to exchange information regarding responsibilities in emergency management with more than 50 members of the HREMC which includes multiple groups from various organizations including local governments, health departments, private companies and the military. The committee meets monthly at various locations throughout the region and promotes the inter-jurisdictional and inter-agency coordination of emergency management issues and fosters emergency preparedness... MORE

229th BEB Soldiers compete in Sapper Stakes
August 9, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team assembled Sapper Fire Teams and competed against each other during a rigorous 72-hour Sapper Stakes competition, held Aug. 6-9, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The competition was held during the unit’s two-week annual training... MORE

CERFP Soldiers train on search & extraction in West Virginia
August 9, 2017 — More than 50 Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, traveled to Camp Dawson, near Kingwood, West Virginia, for the Search and Extraction Basic Course, held July 28 – Aug. 4, 2017. During the seven-day course, Soldiers trained on breaching and breaking, lifting and hauling, ropes, confined space entry and shoring... MORE

Soldiers of Charlie Med compete in Best Medic Competition
August 8, 2017 — In the infantry, obtaining the Expert Infantry Badge is a sign of prestige and reverence, earned by demonstrating a mastery of Soldier skills. For combat medics, the Expert Field Medic Badge, or EFMB, is its equivalent, earned through thorough testing of a combat medic’s knowledge of their craft and Soldier skills... MORE

Va. National Guard officially opens Roanoke Regional Readiness Center
August 4, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard formally opened the new Roanoke Regional Readiness Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, in Troutville, Virginia. Virginia 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, joined other Virginia National Guard senior leaders and members of the Facilities Management Office in cutting the ribbon. The 29th Division Band is first unit to relocate to the new facility... MORE

12th Annual Youth Camp builds bonds for Va. Guard military youth
August 1, 2017 — More than 70 Virginia National Guard youth from across the commonwealth participated in the 12th Annual Youth Camp, July 23-28, 2017, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition to the campers, adult and teen volunteers assisted in supporting the Virginia National Guard Youth Program staff in a week full of high energy-outdoor and indoor activities... MORE

Son of fallen Va. National Guard officer enlists on parent’s 20th anniversary
July 30, 2017 — Twenty years after his parents got married and 10 years after losing his father in an Iraq helicopter shoot down, Pvt. Paul David Kelly, 19, raised his right hand and enlisted into the Virginia National Guard July 26, 2017. Col. James Ring, chief of staff for the Virginia National Guard, administered Kelly’s oath in front of his mother, his grandmother, younger brother, a few friends and his recruiters... MORE

29th ID Soldiers return from federal duty in Kuwait
July 25, 2017 — FORT BELVOIR, Va. — One of the final groups of Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned to Virginia July 25, 2017, after serving on federal active duty since November 2016. The Soldiers served in the Middle East in support of Task Force Spartan Shield as the first intermediate division headquarters under U.S. Army Central Command. Senior leaders from state government and the Maryland and Virginia National Guard greeted Soldiers when they arrived at Dulles Airport, then the Soldiers reunited with family, friends and fellow Soldiers in Maryland and Virginia. A small number of Soldiers remain at their demobilization station in Texas to finalize their transition from federal active duty to traditional Guard status... MORE

One of the final groups of Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returns to Virginia July 25, 2017, after serving on federal active duty since November 2016.

Va. Guard transporters gain real world experience on cargo operations
July 25, 2017 — Three Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 1173rd Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group spent their two weeks of annual training July 8-21, 2017, working at the Navy Operated Air Mobility Command Air Terminal in Norfolk, Virginia, where they gained real-world experience on cargo operations in a joint environment. Each year the “Patriot Partners” exercise brings reserve component personnel to the terminal to augment the existing staff and simulate running the operation in the second week... MORE

276th Engineers balance project work, field training during annual training
July 22, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Petersburg-based 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group used their two weeks of annual training from July 8-22, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia, to improve range roads, train on mission essential tasks in a field environment and better prepare the battalion staff in the military decision making process... MORE

Agreement with NC Guard brings new jobs to MATES, more training to Fort Pickett
July 21, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the North Carolina National Guard to join the West Virginia and Pennsylvania National Guard as external customers storing equipment at the Fort Pickett Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site according to an announcement made June 21, 2017, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. MATES personnel maintain the equipment and make sure it is fully mission capable for Soldiers from the respective states to use for training. The new agreement adds a company of M1 main battle tanks and will bring an additional five full-time jobs to the MATES and additional training personnel to Fort Pickett... MORE

Aviation troops recognized for overseas service
July 20, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to two Sandston-based aviation units received the Governor’s National Service Medal July 16, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. The medal, created in 2005 by then-Governor Mark R. Warner, recognizes the men and women of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard who have served on federal active duty since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Approximately 40 Soldiers each assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment and Detachment 2, Company B, 777th Aviation Support Battalion were recognized for their recently-completed deployment where they provided rotary wing aviation and aviation maintenance in the U.S. Army Central area of operations from June 2016 to the spring of 2017... MORE

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