RICHMOND, Va. –
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, visited Oct. 7, 2024, with Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion on federal active duty in Poland.
“Visiting the Virginia National Guard Soldiers of the 529th was a fantastic opportunity for Secretary Crenshaw and I to see the integration of our Virginia National Guard team with the active Army, Army Reserve and international partners.” Ring said. “The 529th is one of our most deployed units; these Soldiers continue to carry on the traditions of outstanding performance and represent the Commonwealth of Virginia with distinction.”
During the visit, each staff section briefed their current and future operations and essential information they track. They also shared their personal deployment experience after months deployed to Poland. Many of the Soldiers mentioned they enjoyed the community engagement events and how friendly the Polish people have been.
Crenshaw and Ring also had lunch with Soldiers to further discuss individual experiences. They also toured of their living areas, morale and welfare facilities, office space and motor pool.
Ring administered the oath of enlistment extension to Sgt. 1st Class Teray Bundy and Spc. Shakira Green and also promoted Pfc. Rashad Jones to specialist.
“The Soldiers of Task Force Cavalier have performed at a superior level during this deployment, upholding the proud history of this unit,” said Lt. Col. Carlos Maldonado, TF Cavalier commander. “I’m glad that Secretary Crenshaw and Maj. Gen. Ring had the opportunity to see them in action and share their experiences.”
The Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion took responsibility for logistics, maintenance, and supply missions based at Forward Operating Site Karliki, Poland, in March 2024.
The 529th CSSB acts as the headquarters element for Task Force Cavalier in Zagan, Poland, where they oversee operations and training for more than 550 Soldiers from four different subordinate units from active-duty Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard.
Soldiers assigned to Task Force Cavalier have executed more than 225 missions transporting supplies, ammunition and repair parts, covering more than 150,00 miles to nine different countries in Europe to provide sustainment command and control and support to forward-stationed U.S. and allied forces in the region. Their mission is part of a rotation of forces conducting multinational training and operations with allies and regional security partners to increase military interoperability, build contingency response capabilities and deter adversaries in Europe.
Soldiers have also showed their commitment to being Citizen Soldiers by integrating in the community of the town of Zagan. They have executed more than 15 community engagement events at orphanages, schools and festivals.
In September, Task Force Cavalier assisted flood relief operations working side by side with Polish first responders, further highlighting missions National Guard Soldiers conduct at home for severe weather events.