Virginia National Guard

Infantry Soldiers train for Expert Infantry Badge testing
March 6, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to multiple units in the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted training on weapons, medical and patrol tasks that are required to earn the Expert Infantryman Badge March 4, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The purpose of the EIB is to recognize Infantrymen who have demonstrated a mastery of critical tasks that build the core foundation of individual proficiency that allow them to locate, close with and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver and repel an enemy assault through fire and close combat... MORE

Engineers train on new route clearance vehicles
February 21, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Fredericksburg-based 229th Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team completed two weeks of training on route clearance operations in the Husky Mounted Detection System and the Buffalo Armored Vehicle Feb. 17, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The route clearance platoon has been immersed in assembly, maintenance and operation of the new vehicles since February 4, 2017... MORE

Red Dragons conduct combined live-fire exercise in Qatar
February 7, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team serving on federal active duty in Qatar spent a weekend in early January 2017 at Al Ghalail Range conducting a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise. Soldiers conducted an area defense integrating indirect fires with mortars and forward observers, anti-tank capabilities with Javelin teams and direct fire capabilities with M240B machine guns, M249 squad automatic weapons and other small arms... MORE

Virginia Soldiers take part in Qatari Marksmanship Competition
February 7, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team serving on federal active duty in Qatar took top honors in several categories in the Qatari Marksmanship Competition at Al Udeid Air Base in early January 2017... MORE

Camp Pendleton simulator prepares Soldiers for live fire ranges
February 6, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted familiarization training on multiple weapons systems Feb. 4, 2017, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in preparation for gunnery tables scheduled for annual training later this... MORE

Aviation crew supports Fort Lee Sling Load Inspector Course
February 5, 2017 — A Virginia National Guard aviation crew assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment conducted sling load operations in support of the Fort Lee-based Sling Load Inspector Course Feb. 3, 2017, at Fort Lee, Virginia. The air crew of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter demonstrated its sling load capability in conjunction with the multi-branch class of Sling Load Inspector students by transporting a Humvee and a heavily loaded metallic container on multiple flight patterns in the training area... MORE

116th MET completes overseas mission
January 28, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard’s 116th Military Engagement Team marked the official completion of their overseas mission Jan. 9, 2017, during a Transfer of Authority ceremony held at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. During the ceremony, the 116th MET passed the mission to the Kentucky National Guard’s 149th Military Engagement Team... MORE

Eyes on the Sky: 29th ID Soldiers enhance theatre capabilities
January 25, 2017 — Air Defense capabilities are constantly upgrading to stay ahead of emerging threats. Soldiers are trained on a variety of systems and equipment at the Air Defense schoolhouse, but for many this training will be their only experience with a majority of the systems, especially for Soldiers serving in Division-level units. When Soldiers with the 29th Infantry Division Air Missile Defense Team were granted a chance to implement their training on the latest radar systems here, members of the unit saw it as a chance for the unit’s Sentinel Radar team to embrace the rare opportunity and lead the way for divisions to follow as they participate in Operation Spartan Shield... MORE

Exercise prepares special response force for upcoming evaluation
January 23, 2017 — Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP, conducted a collective training exercise Jan. 21, 2017, at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, to prepare for an external evaluation to be held later this year. The force is made up of Soldiers and Airmen from units based in Petersburg, West Point, Rocky Mount, Danville, Virginia Beach and Langley Air Force Base, as well as Airmen from the Washington D.C. Air National Guard... MORE

Medics check on Soldiers operating traffic control points
January 22, 2017 — Virginia National Guard medics checked on the health and welfare of Soldiers operating traffic control points in support of the 58t Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D. C. Out of the nearly 300 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen serving in support of the inauguration, four medics and one physician assistant patrolled the streets to ensure the safety of not only the citizens of this nation, but the health of the troops... MORE

Soldiers provide communications support for inauguration
January 22, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the information technology and communication sections of the Virginia Guard joint staff and Army Guard staff provided communications support for the 58th Presidential Inauguration with the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. The JISCC is an advanced communications system that can be rapidly deployed to an incident location and uses secure satellite connections to provide the Guard and first responders with high speed internet, voice-over-IP telephones and high frequency radio communications. Prior the inauguration, the Soldiers conducted training with multiple states providing JISCC support... MORE

Va. Army and Air Guard chaplains support inauguration troops
January 22, 2017 — Virginia Army and Air National Guard chaplain teams provided support to troops during the 58th Presidential Inauguration January 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. The teams were assigned to a task force that included service members from all over the U. S. and U.S. territories, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico... MORE

Virginia Guard supports 58th Presidential Inauguration
January 22, 2017 — Nearly 300 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined a force of approximately 7,500 National Guard personnel from across the country supporting the 58th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D. C. Virginia Guard personnel assisted with traffic control as well as communications, medical and chaplain support, and also provided liaison officers to key military and civilian command headquarters in the area. Additional personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force conducted mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state and additional troops were on standby... MORE

Va. Guard displays capabilities, commended by state leaders
January 20, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force displayed some of the Guard’s warfighting and domestic operations capabilities Jan. 19, 2017, outside the Virginia General Assembly building in Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. hosted a reception in the morning, and the Virginia National Guard Association and Virginia Guard Enlisted Association hosted a legislative reception in the evening at the Library of Virginia. Virginia Guard Soldiers, Airmen and VDF troopers were recognized in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, and throughout the day Governor Terry McAuliffe, First Lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and members of the General Assembly commended the Virginia Guard for the organization’s service to commonwealth and country throughout the year... MORE

Virginia Guard personnel to support 58th Presidential Inauguration
January 12, 2017 — Nearly 300 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will join a force of approximately 7,500 National Guard personnel from 40 states and territories supporting the 58th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D. C. Virginia Guard personnel will assist with traffic control, crowd management, communications, medical and chaplain support, and additional personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will conduct mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state... MORE

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