Virginia National Guard

Fort Barfoot breaks ground on new MWR Center
December 17, 2024 — Fort Barfoot officially broke ground on a new Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center during a ceremony Dec. 13, 2024, marking the latest in a series of efforts to improve MWR amenities and events on the installation. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard strengthens retention with aviation experience
December 16, 2024 — Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team participated in retention flights Dec. 7, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia... MORE

Red Dragons hone their sling load skills during drill weekend
December 9, 2024 — Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted sling load training Dec. 7, 2024, at Blackstone Army Airfield in Blackstone, Virginia... MORE

Johnson succeeds Wynn as Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander
December 9, 2024 — Lt. Col. Eric M. Johnson took command of the Fort Barfoot-based Virginia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion from Lt. Col. Kim D. Wynn during a ceremony Dec. 4, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia... MORE

91st Cyber Brigade hosts VMI cadets during drill weekend
November 26, 2024 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 91st Cyber Brigade hosted Virginia Military Institute cadets during their drill weekend Nov. 16 and 17, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG’s Counterdrug Task Force supports Red Ribbon Week events
November 22, 2024 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers joined local, state and federal agencies to help educate and reinforce the importance of a drug-free lifestyle in schools and communities during Red Ribbon Week events at schools across central Virginia Oct. 24-30, 2024. ... MORE

529th CSSB ends mission in Poland, returns to USA
November 20, 2024 — Approximately 40 Soldiers assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group returned to the United States Nov. 19, 2024, after serving federal active duty in Poland since January 2024... MORE

New, improved VNG central issue facility open for business
November 19, 2024 — After two months of intense work, Virginia National Guard Soldiers officially re-opened the Virginia Army National Guard’s Central Issue Facility during a ceremony Nov. 15, 2024, at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG Officer Candidate School accepting applications for traditional, accelerated classes
November 14, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard’s 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute will host Pre-Officer Candidate School at Fort Barfoot for Soldiers interested in attending Traditional Officer Candidate School at Fort Barfoot or Summer Accelerated Commissioning Course at Fort McClellan, Alabama. ... MORE

VNG Officer Candidate School accepting applications for traditional and accelerated classes

Waller Depot announced as site for future Museum of the Virginia National Guard
November 14, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard’s S. Gardner Waller Depot in Richmond, Virginia, has been selected as the site for the future Museum of the Virginia National Guard according to an announcement made Nov. 13, 2024, by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia... MORE

VNG Soldier balances science, service on path to success
November 13, 2024 — As a first-generation American and the first in her family to attend college, Spc. Mariel Gomez has broken new ground with every step she’s taken. She was born in California, to newly-immigrated parents, and spent a few impactful years with her grandparents in El Salvador before moving with her family to Virginia where she routinely served as a translator and helped her family bridge the gap between their Salvadoran heritage and their new American life. Today, she holds an undergraduate degree in sustainable biomaterials from Virginia Tech and is completing a master's program in chemical engineering at North Carolina State University. Additionally, one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer, she serves in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group as a 12K, a plumber... MORE

Spc. Mariel Gomez poses with her dog. (Courtesy photo)

329th RSG welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
November 6, 2024 — In another historic moment for one Virginia National Guard family, Col. Juanita Rohler took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. Dennis Rohler, her husband, Nov. 2, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The 329th also welcomed a new senior enlisted leader when Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Viera accepted responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Brian H. Coleman... MORE

Red Dragon snipers showcase strength, skill at Finnish Sniper Championship
November 5, 2024 — For the third consecutive year, snipers from the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team traveled to Finland to compete against their international peers at the HÄYHÄ 2024 Sniper Shooting Championship. Three Red Dragon snipers - Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson, Sgt. James O’Connell and Spc. Jonathan Farrar - competed Sept. 20-22, 2024, at a training site near Imatra, Finland... MORE

Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson, Sgt. James O’Connell, and Spc. Jonathan Farrar pose together competiting together in the HÄYHÄ 2024 Sniper Shooting Championship Sept. 20-22, 2024, in Finland. (Courtesy Photo)

Mazur takes command of 91st Cyber Brigade
November 4, 2024 — Col. Gerald Mazur took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir-based 91st Cyber Brigade from Brig. Gen. Rusty McGuire during a ceremony Oct. 26, 2024, at Fort Walker, Virginia. ... MORE

229th BEB Soldier wraps up eventful summer after Air Race Classic triumph
October 21, 2024 — Spc. Ashley Asselin’s journey into the world of aviation took off during her high school JROTC experience. Since then, she’s earned her pilot’s license, joined the Virginia Army National Guard as a 15E Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer, finished her undergraduate degree at Liberty University and joined the full-time staff there as a flight instructor. This summer, she soared to new heights by finishing in the top five of her division in the renowned all-women’s Air Race Classic... MORE

Spc. Ashley Asselin, at left, competes in the 2024 Women's Air Race Classic June 18-21, 2024, with her teammates from Liberty University. (Courtesy photo)

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