CHESTERFIELD, Virginia –
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Chesterfield-based Detachment 1, Charlie Company, 2-245th Aviation Regiment, conducted a departure ceremony and officially began their federal active duty May 27, 2026, in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Lt. Col. Carolina Rohlfing, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, were on hand to bid the Soldiers farewell, thank them for their service and recognize the sacrifices of their families.
The detachment, which operates and maintains a C-12 Huron, the VNG’s fixed wing capability, is mobilizing to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.
“These pilots represent some of our most deployed members,” Ring explained, adding that it is because of their expert proficiency and ability to perform the mission that they have been tasked time and time again.
“It is a privilege for us to support them.” Ring said. “But we know it's never easy for family to be away from loved ones, especially in a time like there, when there are tensions in the area you're going.”
Rohlfing echoed the stress the deployment causes on families and urged them to reach out if they need assistance.
“If you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out,” she said. “I wish you all a safe deployment. And for the families back home, this is a difficult time I'm sure, but just let me know if you need anything at home.”
“I'm humbled and very proud to be commanding this unit,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Randy Addington, commander of the detachment, said he was humbled to be commanding the unit.
“It's been one of the greatest honors of my career to stand in front of this formation and take this unit out the door on a deployment,” he said. “You're one of the best trained organizations I've seen, the hardest working team I've ever been a part of, and I couldn't be more proud of you.
“All I ask of you is to always place mission first. We'll take care of each other and we'll all get home.”
The unit was named was named the Army National Guard East Region Unit of the Year for Fiscal Year 2022, when it logged more than 700 flight hours over nearly 50 missions, all while maintaining operational readiness at above 90%.