Virginia National Guard

Zana succeeds Flora as Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commander
May 17, 2021 — CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, the outgoing Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) commanding general, transferred responsibility to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana during a change of command ceremony. U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), presided over the ceremony... MORE

Funeral Honors Program hosts training for active-duty Soldiers
May 4, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program hosted basic funeral honors training for 30 U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Fort Eustis-based 7th Transportation Brigade April 19-23, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Recruiters team up with Habitat for Humanity to "Raise the Roof"
May 4, 2021 — NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — For Sgt. Austin Sturtz, a recruiter assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, the opportunity to support the local Habitat for Humanity’s “Raise the Roof” event in Newport News, Virginia, sounded like a great one... MORE

Virginia National Guard welcomes nine new officers
May 4, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Army National Guard welcomed nine new lieutenants to their ranks in a ceremony held April 25, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The new lieutenants are part of the Virginia National Guard’s winter accelerated Officer Candidate School Class 64A. Col. Doyle Gillis, the Virginia National Guard’s director of manpower and personnel, served as the guest speaker for the event, while Lt. Col. James C. Shaver, commander of 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, administered the oath of office. ... MORE

MTC marks Earth Day with tree planting
May 3, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and civilian employees of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett planted two trees at the MTC garrison headquarters in honor of Earth Day April 22, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group to deploy to Middle East in Fall 2021
April 30, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based Headquarters, 329th Regional Support Group has received a mobilization order for federal active duty in the Middle East, according to an announcement made April 29, 2021, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. In Fall 2021, more than 80 Soldiers assigned to the 329th will begin a 10-month deployment in the Central Command Area of Operations under the operational control of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve serving as the base operating support-integrator for multiple installations... MORE

SMP prepares cadets for future training, paves pathway for success
April 26, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. -- Cadets enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program, or SMP, spent three days honing their military skills April 16-18, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Approximately 80 cadets from universities across Virginia attended... MORE

Lexington-based infantry company recognized for support to Lynchburg Police Department
April 21, 2021 — LEXINGTON, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lexington-based Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were honored by the Lynchburg Police Department April 4, 2021, for their support to civilian law enforcement during protests in Lynchburg in June 2020... MORE

Sen. Kaine thanks 229th Chemical Co. Soldiers during ceremony
April 21, 2021 — ROCKY MOUNT, Va. — U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine visited with and thanked Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Rocky Mount-based 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group during a ceremony celebrating the unit’s recent successes April 10, 2021, in Rocky Mount, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG providing dual-status commander for state, federal COVID-19 support
April 20, 2021 — NORFOLK, Va. — With Title 10 federal active duty troops augmenting the state’s COVID-19 vaccination effort, the Virginia National Guard has provided a dual-status commander to manage state and federal forces... MORE

Pillion succeeds Gravely as MTC garrison commander
April 20, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Col. Timothy D. Pillion took command of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett from Col. Paul C. Gravely during a ceremony April 16, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, presided over the traditional exchange of colors symbolizing the transfer of the garrison command from Gravely to Pillion. ... MORE

Spanberger, Cline rep tour VNG aviation facility
April 7, 2021 — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger visited the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility March 29, 2021, to learn more about the complex mission of the VNG’s aviation assets and the need for a new aviation support facility. Spanberger was joined by a member of Rep. Ben Cline’s staff and received briefings from Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and other VNG senior leaders. The group also toured the current facility and conducted an aerial tour on board a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter of the proposed location for the future facility, as well as key VNG facilities in the Richmond area... MORE

VNG Endurance Team seeking team members
April 7, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Endurance Team is seeking additional members! Soldiers interested in becoming part of this elite team will need to attend the DEKA STRONG National Guard Challenge May 21-23, 2021, at the National Guard Professional Education Center in Arkansas. Based on event results, Soldiers may be selected to represent the Virginia National Guard at the National Guard Endurance Team tryouts Aug. 27-30, 2021, also at PEC. ... MORE

Explosives detection training lane at MTC dedicated to fallen VNG Soldiers
April 6, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Current and former Virginia National Guard Soldiers and guests attended a dedication ceremony for the new Banks-Lambert Handheld Detection Lane March 26, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The explosives detection training lane was dedicated and named for Sgt. Derek R. Banks and Sgt. David E. Lambert, who were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device Oct. 25, 2007... MORE

Virginia Army Guard recruiters snag top spots after regional recruiting boards
April 1, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — In mid-March, a select few of Virginia’s Army National Guard recruiters traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a chance to be named top among their regional peers. Sgt. 1st Class Brian Adams was named the region’s top recruiting noncommissioned officer, Sgt. Dakota Baughan was named the region’s top rookie recruiter, and Master Sgt. Jessica Dickenson earned the region’s runner-up spot for top section chief... MORE

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