NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Virginia National Guard senior leaders recognized the top company-level units in the Virginia Army National Guard and the 192nd Wing of the Virginia Air National Guard for high levels of readiness at the third annual Virginia Military Ball April 27, 2019, in Newport News, Virginia.
The Gate City-based 1032nd Transportation Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group received the Eisenhower Trophy as the top company-level unit in the Virginia Army National Guard, and the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band received the Adjutant General’s Cup. The Woodstock-based Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team received the state-level National Guard Pershing Trophy and Certificate of Victory for marksmanship.
The 192nd Wing was recognized for having received the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award. This was the first time the wing as a whole received this award, which was first authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force in March 2004. The 192nd Intelligence Squadron received the award in 2015.
“Readiness is our number one priority, and these awards recognize the units that meet and exceed the standards for key tasks needed to conduct combat operations,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. “These units set the example for others to follow, and I know that the rest of our Virginia Army and Air National Guard units are continuing the hard work to meet and maintain a high state of readiness. It is also important for us to thank our families and employers for their critical support, without them, we couldn’t accomplish our mission!”
The Virginia Military Ball was sponsored by the Virginia National Guard Association and the Virginia Army and Air National Guard Enlisted Association.
The top Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard were also recognized.
Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based Headquarters Battalion, 29th Infantry Division took home top honors at the annual Virginia National Guard Best Warrior Competition Feb. 24, 2019, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Spc. Esther Alger of Front Royal was named Soldier of the Year and Sgt. 1st Class Paul Bosserman of Harrisonburg earned the title of NCO of the Year after three mentally and physically grueling days of competition against Soldiers and NCOs from six different VNG major subordinate commands.
The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Wing recognized its top performers during an annual awards ceremony Jan. 12, 2019, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Newly promoted Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Moon, 192nd Maintenance Group, was recognized as the VaANG Outstanding Airman of the Year, Tech. Sgt. Meredith J. Reyna, 192nd Operations Group, received the VaANG Outstanding NCO of the Year award, Master Sgt. Chad M. Hagen, 192nd Mission Support Group, was recognized as the VaANG Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year and Senior Master Sgt. Harold R. Childs, 192nd Wing Staff, was named the VaANG Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year.
The Eisenhower Trophy recognizes the most outstanding company-level unit in the Virginia Army National Guard during the training year and is presented to the unit that ranks the highest in areas of assigned personnel strength, percentage of personnel qualified in their duty position, attendance at monthly drill weekends and annual training, individual weapons qualification scores and physical fitness test scores.
The Adjutant General’s Cup is awarded to the unit achieving the highest overall average in the areas of overall assigned personnel strength, attendance at monthly drill weekends and attendance at annual training.
The state-level Pershing Award is presented for the highest marksmanship scores in the Virginia Army National Guard in annual qualification with assigned individual weapons.
The MUA is awarded to Air Force active duty, reserve, and guard units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding achievement or service in direct support of combat operations.