TROUTVILLE, Va. –
Virginia National Guard senior leaders along with state and local government officials cut a ribbon to formally open the expanded Roanoke Regional Readiness Center Aug. 2, 2025, in Troutville, Virginia. The completed project increases the maintenance capabilities at the complex and provides training, administrative and storage space for additional units using a combination of new construction and renovation of existing buildings.
“The way that we as a nation and we as a commonwealth and community ensure that our Soldiers and Airmen are always ready and are always there is to have facilities just like this one,” said. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. “Soldiers and Airmen need modernized facilities and spaces where they train. We are demonstrating the value of their service by the equipment and the facilities we provide them.”
Ring reflected on the historic moment of officially opening the expanded facility and how it will have generational effect on readiness for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He explained that facilities like the RRRC are where VNG Soldiers and Airmen deploy from to help their fellow Virginians in times of need, and also neighboring states.
The Virginia National Guard will have 26 full-time federal employees working at the Combine Support Maintenance Shop and 12 full-time federal employees working at the Readiness Center in support of the 229th Chemical Company and 29th Infantry Division Band. There are also two full-time state employees providing facilities support to the entire complex. On drill weekends, about 270 Soldiers will train at the facility.
“As the Virginia Army National Guard modernizes and transforms, these facilities are an important part of enhancing unit readiness and local response capabilities,” said Brig. Gen. Charles Martin, commander of the Virginia Army National Guard. “The new maintenance shop and training center give these units a permanent home station, and better equip and maintain them for future missions. So it's with gratitude to our local, state and federal partners whose persistence, partnership and public service has enabled the crucial investment required to build these modern facilities.”
The VNG’s 229th Chemical Company relocated from their current facility in Rocky Mount to the newly-expanded RRRC. Field Maintenance Shop #10 is expanding to become Combined Support Maintenance Shop - West with additional capabilities.
“This readiness center is significant, and it's a significant investment in the readiness of our Soldiers and our ability to respond both here at home and abroad,” said Col. Juanita Rohler, commander of the 329th Regional Support Group. “It will serve as a critical enabler for the 229th Chemical Company, providing them with a modern training facility and the logistical support they need to excel, whether supporting our commonwealth during state emergency operations or answering the nation's call, this facility assures that we will be ready to answer when our citizens need us the most.”
The current complex officially opened in August 2017 and is the home of the 29th Infantry Division Band and Field Maintenance Shop #10. The VNG broke ground on the expansion of the RRRC complex in March 2023. View photos from the ceremony at https://vngpao.info/2p8v94fr.
The VNG held a ceremony Dec. 5, 2009, to formally close the armory located in Roanoke, and the four units based there relocated to other facilities across the state. That facility was dedicated Sept. 17, 1955. as a five-unit armory, with four units of the 116th Infantry and 90th Army Band, which is now the 29th Infantry Division Band stationed in Troutville.
“The Virginia National Guard has a proud history of service in Southwest Virginia, and we're deeply committed to continuing that legacy,” Rohler said. “We see ourselves not just in this community, but as part of this community. We are your neighbors, your friends, your partners. We look forward to building on our relationships within the Troutville area, as well as the greater Southwest Virginia communities, working together to enhance the safety and prosperity of this region.”
VNG senior leaders also credited the hard work of the VNG’s facilities management team for developing the project with the vendor as well as the support of state government agencies and local government officials in the area.
By utilizing this site and most of its existing facilities, the VNG saved the taxpayers significant money and limited environmental impacts as compared to building an all-new facility while providing a capability to more efficiently support national defense and state public safety missions, he said.
The project consisted of three main parts. An approximately 33,500 square foot readiness center building was built, and an approximately 12,000 square foot building was renovated for storage and support to the readiness center. An approximately 16,300 square foot maintenance building was built to expand on existing field maintenance shop capabilities into the VNG’s Combined Support Maintenance Shop - West.
Approximately 100 personnel work at 13 field maintenance shops spread out over different locations throughout the state with the mission to provide field maintenance support for surface equipment beyond the capabilities of supported VNG units.
The FMS maintains authorized repair parts and supplies and performs preventive maintenance procedures as well as replacement of major components such as engines and transmissions. It also provides contact teams to repair equipment and return it to the unit to conduct operations and training. They also provide maintenance support to VNG units conducting domestic response operations.
A CSMS performs field and sustainment maintenance support on a wide variety of equipment, including heavy and light wheeled vehicles, trailers and generators with specialty shops that provide additional capabilities not performed at an FMS such as welding, painting, machine work, small arms, electronics, artillery, optical instrument and calibration.
There is a CSMS currently located at Defense Supply Center Richmond, and what will be known as “CSMS-West” in Troutville will provide expanded capabilities for units in the region requiring less travel time to get needed work accomplished.
The 229th Chemical Company consists of 85 enlisted Soldiers, six officers and one chief warrant officer. Its mission is to provide chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance, decontamination and detection and transportation resources and capabilities.
Additional background information:
The Virginia National Guard secured the site of the former Botetourt Correctional Center in June 2015. The Botetourt Correctional Center closed in the winter of 2010 and was declared surplus state property. It was transferred to the Virginia National Guard at no cost.
The total site area is approximately 56.5 acres in Troutville, located east of I-81 and north of Roanoke. It is adjacent to a Virginia State Police shooting range and a Virginia Department of Transportation regional maintenance facility.
The 29th Infantry Division Band consists of 40 enlisted Soldiers and one chief warrant officer. Its mission is to support the Virginia National Guard with musical performances around the state. In addition to the full band, the 29th Infantry Division Band contains 18 different musical performance teams.