Virginia National Guard

Virginia National Guard ends COVID-19 response mission
August 2, 2021 — The Virginia National Guard’s support to Virginia’s COVID-19 response ended July 31, 2021, after more than 460 days of assisting with vaccinations, testing and administrative, logistics and planning support at locations across the state... MORE

Va. Guard Soldiers assigned to Lynchburg-based infantry battalion to mobilize for overseas duty
July 29, 2021 — The Virginia National Guard’s Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has received a mobilization order to enter federal active duty to provide a security force in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, according to an announcement made July 29, 2021, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. ... MORE

OCS Class 64 launches into Phase II
July 28, 2021 — Twelve Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates completed Phase I of Officer Candidate School and launched their training into Phase II during a recent drill weekend, held July 16-18, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia’s OCS is taught by cadre assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and the first drill of Phase II was held at SMR as a nod to the program’s historic past. ... MORE

Twelve Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates launch into Phase II of Officer Candidate School July 17, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The candidates are part of OCS Class 64, and spent the weekend training at SMR where Virginia’s OCS was founded. The course is taught by cadre assigned to Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Local recruiters recognized by mayor in Virginia Beach
July 28, 2021 — The Virginia Army National Guard was among those recognized at Local Heroes Day, an event held July 17, 2021, at the Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Along with local first responders, recruiters from the Virginia Army National Guard accepted a proclamation and an engraved surfboard from Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard recruiters participate in Local Heroes Day July 17, 2021, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Along with local first responders, the recruiters from the accepted a proclamation and an engraved surfboard from Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer at the event. (Courtesy Photo)

Virginia Guard Soldiers train on basics of Military Funeral Honors
July 28, 2021 — Nine Virginia National Guard Soldiers completed Level 1 Funeral Honors training June 20-27, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Led by the Virginia National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program, the course prepares Soldiers to conduct professional military funeral honors in accordance with service tradition... MORE

116th IBCT trains on new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle
July 26, 2021 — Virginia and Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team trained on and fielded new M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifles July 12-15, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

29ID assumes authority of Task Force Spartan
July 23, 2021 — Maj. Gen. John Rhodes, commanding general, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard, assumed command of Task Force Spartan from Maj. Gen. Patrick Hamilton, commanding general, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, July 20, 2021. The transfer of authority ceremony was presided over by Lt. Gen. Terry Ferrell, commanding general, U.S. Army Central... MORE

VNG builds partnerships at Regional Cooperation 21
July 14, 2021 — Fifteen Virginia National Guard Soldiers participated in Regional Cooperation 2021, a U.S. Central Command-led exercise designed to promote cooperation and joint combined capabilities among the U.S and partner nations in Central and South Asia, or CASA. The annual exercise, held this year June 7-17, 2021, at Fort Harrison, Montana, was a brigade-level command post exercise. Virginia Soldiers integrated into various roles, often working alongside partner nation military members... MORE

Brig. Gen. James Ring, Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, and Col. Todd Hubbard, VNG Operations Chief, visit Regional Cooperation 2021, a U.S. Central Command-led exercise designed to promote cooperation among the U.S and partner nations in Central and South Asia, June 14, 2021, in Helena, Montana. Fifteen Virginia Soldiers participated in the event and were integrated in various staff positions and used the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with their state partners from Tajikistan. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Online training provides valuable collaborative experience for VNG chaplains
July 14, 2021 — Religious support personnel from all components of the Virginia National Guard participated in a virtual training event June 5, 2021, designed to not only provide required training but also to increase communication and improve collaboration between the services. “It was a really good mix of Army, Air and Virginia Defense Force, as well as active duty,” said Capt. Will Cochrane, chaplain for the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group. “There was a great joint aspect with different elements represented. It was unique to be with them and collaborate. I honestly don’t remember a time when we’ve done that before. Everyone had a piece of the training.”... MORE

180th Engineers head to Louisiana for JRTC rotation
July 14, 2021 — More than 50 Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group are supporting the Arkansas National Guard during a training rotation July 10 - Aug. 3, 2021, at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Pickett-based Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site load a bulldozer onto a trailer for transport July 9, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The bulldozer is part of the heavy equipment the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group is taking for use during a training rotation July 10 - Aug. 3, 2021, at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Deployed 29th Infantry Division warrant officers celebrate 103rd birthday
July 12, 2021 — Virginia Army National Guard warrant officers assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, celebrated the Warrant Officer Corps’ 103rd birthday alongside their 36th Infantry Division counterparts July 9, 2021, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait... MORE

Gillis promoted to brigadier general, will lead VaARNG strategic initiatives
July 7, 2021 — Col. Doyle Gillis, Jr., was promoted to brigadier general July 10, 2021, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia, and succeeds Brig. Gen. James A. Zollar as the Virginia National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, announced the promotion and assignment July 2... MORE

Col. Doyle Gillis, Jr., is promoted to brigadier general July 10, 2021, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Gillis succeeds Brig. Gen. James A. Zollar as the Virginia National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives, and the promotion and assignment are effective July 10.

VNG wraps CVC support, continues mobile vaccination missions
June 30, 2021 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen continue to provide support to the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Emergency Management as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. VNG mobile vaccination support teams continue to operate across the commonwealth, while the task force assigned to provide logistics and administrative support to Community Vaccination Clinics has concluded their mission. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers conduct a mobile vaccination mission on board international ships in May and June 2021 in Norfolk, Virginia.

VNG Soldiers make strong showing at fitness competition
June 30, 2021 — Six Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers traveled to Arkansas to compete at the DekaStrong National Guard Challenge fitness competition May 22-23, 2021, at the National Guard Professional Education Center in Camp Robinson, Arkansas... MORE

Six Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers traveled to Arkansas to compete at the DekaStrong National Guard Challenge fitness competition May 22-23, 2021, at the National Guard Professional Education Center in Camp Robinson, Arkansas.

Logistics officer balances family with military career
June 30, 2021 — Lt. Col. Alyssa Astphan grew up in a military family. Her father served, her uncle served, and before them, her Lebanese grandfather served in World War II with a local militia and both the French and British Armies. Continuing her family's legacy of military service always seemed like a given. From the time she knew about the concept of careers, she knew hers would be spent in the military... MORE

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