Virginia National Guard

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)

VNG stands up new Directorate of Resiliency
October 18, 2024 — In an effort to improve resiliency and readiness among its troops, the Virginia National Guard recently created the J9 Directorate of Resiliency, bringing together Soldier-care efforts under one umbrella... MORE

Virginia National Guard expands relationship with Finnish Army commander
October 14, 2024 — Virginia National Guard leadership hosted Lt. Gen. Pasi Välimäki, commander of the Finnish Army, during a bilateral engagement Oct 12, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The visit was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Finland became partners earlier in 2024... MORE

VNG gearing up for Milton, winding down Helene support
October 9, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard is gearing up Oct. 9, 2024, to support Florida as they prepare for the expected impacts of Hurricane Milton while it winds down Hurricane Helene support in Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard Black Hawk helicopter headed to Florida
October 8, 2024 — A Virginia National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crew and members of the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team deployed from Sandston, Virginia, to Florida Oct. 8, 2024, to provide support for expected impacts of Hurricane Milton... MORE

VNG aviation crews depart for Hurricane Milton support mission

VNG AASF holds top spot for aviation maintenance readiness
October 7, 2024 — For three years running, the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility has ranked first in the nation for equipment readiness. Located in Sandston, Virginia, next to Richmond International Airport, with an auxiliary location at the Chesterfield Executive Airport, the AASF is home to the VNG’s fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopters. A dedicated team of around 50 full-time technicians maintains the fleet with just 25 percent of the personnel of a similarly-sized active duty organization, all while also ranking in the top ten nationally for operational tempo... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct air operations training on UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with air crews assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division July 10, 2021, in Pulaski, Virginia. Soldiers who recently graduated from Air Assault and Pathfinder Schools passed along their newly-acquired skills to help build operational knowledge within the unit. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ritah Daniel)

HART makes first real-world rescues, prepares for Florida mission
October 7, 2024 — After years of intense training and planning, Virginia National Guard aviation crews and Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team members conducted real-world rescue hoists of stranded citizens Sept. 27 and 28, 2024, in and around Abingdon, Virginia... MORE

VNG Soldier helps preserve family's memories during flood response
October 7, 2024 — After finding a water-logged family photo album during Hurricane Helene response operations, Spc. Gabrielle Edens worked to find the owners and return their memories... MORE

New senior enlisted leaders for 116th IBCT, 329th RSG, MTC announced
October 4, 2024 — Command Sgt. Maj. Irving N. Reed, the Virginia Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major, announced the selection of new senior enlisted leaders for three VAARNG commands Oct. 4, 2024... MORE

Virginia National Guard continues support after Hurricane Helene
October 4, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard continues to support response efforts after Hurricane Helene with troops staged Oct. 4, 2024, in Abingdon, Virginia. Approximately 20 Soldiers with tactical trucks remain on duty with the ability to conduct transportation, debris reduction and commodity distribution missions... MORE

VNG staged, ready in Abingdon, Roanoke for possible severe weather response operations
September 27, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard staged approximately 20 Soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high mobility transportation Sept. 26, 2024, in the Abingdon area in order to support the response to potential impacts of Hurricane Helene. The VNG also staged two Black Hawk helicopters with transport, damage assessment and rescue hoist capabilities in the Roanoke area... MORE

VNG celebrates commissioning of 13 new lieutenants
September 25, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard celebrated the commissioning of 13 new lieutenants at a ceremony held Sept. 15, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The event marked the end of Officer Candidate School for the candidates enrolled in Class 66, 67A and 67B. ... MORE

VNG NCO reflects on her path from border town to recruiting success
September 24, 2024 — Staff Sgt. Diana Hudson spent her earliest years in a rural Mexican border town. Her family’s home, built from wooden pallets, had a dirt floor and no plumbing. Since then, she’s emigrated to the United States, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, started a family, earned an undergraduate degree and, more recently, became one of the top recruiters in the Virginia Army National Guard... MORE

Staff Sgt. Diana Hudson, center, poses with her mentors, Sgt. 1st Class LaTesse Hall, left, and Sgt. 1st Class Gertha Cleveland, right.

Pioneers “Push for Life” during Suicide Awareness Month
September 23, 2024 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, have knocked out nearly 22,200 pushups as of Sept. 23, 2024, in support of the Virginia National Guard Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention’s and Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce’s “Push for Life Challenge.” The Soldiers completed 10,000 pushup repetitions during their regularly scheduled drill weekend held Sept. 8 and have kept pushing every day since... MORE

VNG Soldiers, Airmen honor those remembered at Public Safety Memorial
September 20, 2024 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen helped honor those being remembered at the Virginia Public Safety Foundation’s 10th Annual Commemorative Ceremony Sept. 14, 2024, at the Virginia Public Safety Memorial in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

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