Virginia National Guard

Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony honors, remembers fallen warriors
June 2, 2021 — The 2021 Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony held May 31, 2021, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia, honored and remembered the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who paid the ultimate price in nation’s defense... MORE

Virginia Air National Guard Master Sgt. Damon L. Obasi sings the national anthem during the 2021 Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony May 31, 2021, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia.

VNG adapts to changing COVID-19 support missions
May 18, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard continues to support COVID-19 response missions across Virginia with task forces conducting administrative and logistical support to vaccine clinics, and providing mobile vaccine teams to help administer shots in support of local, state and federal agencies... MORE

A Virginia National Guard Soldier administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a citizen during a mobile vaccination clinic in Norfolk, Virginia.

Virginia Air National Guard engineers return from Southwest Asia
May 7, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — More than 100 Virginia Air National Guard engineers reunited with family, friends and fellow Airmen May 5, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, after serving on federal active duty in Southwest Asia since October 2020. Virginia National Guard senior leaders were also on hand to thank them for their service and welcome them home. Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, or RED HORSE, were responsible for 15 engineer projects in six countries in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel... MORE

VaANG maintainers rebuild F-22 Raptor after collapse on JBLE flight line
May 1, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- For the first time in his more than 20 year career, Master Sgt. Christopher Plath held his breath and felt the intense pressure during the take off and landing of F-22 tail #85 on April 9, 2021. As a flight chief in the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Plath stayed quietly in command of his exclusive team of Virginia Air National Guard maintainers, advising them to stay focused even while a crowd of onlookers started to gather on the Langley flight line in hopes of witnessing the end result of what Plath said were long, tireless hours. ... MORE

An F-22 crew chief watches on as the pilot prepares to take flight in the aircraft.

Here to stay: 192nd Wing celebrates first dedicated HQ facility at JBLE
April 8, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Wing celebrated the opening of its first dedicated headquarters facility on the Hampton installation with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 31, 2021... MORE

U.S. military leaders cutting a ribbon during a ceremony

VaANG breaks ground on its first MILCON project since relocation to JBLE
April 6, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va - Virginia National Guard leaders welcomed community representatives to the installation in Hampton on March 31, 2021, to celebrate the 192nd Wing’s first military construction project since its move from Sandston in 2007. U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, Adjutant General of Virginia Maj. Gen. Timothy Williams and 192nd Wing Commander Col. Christopher Batterton each grabbed a shovel to ceremoniously break ground on what is to become a permanent headquarters facility for the unit’s 185th Cyber Operations Squadron... MORE

Three men wearing hard hats ceremoniously turn dirt during a ground breaking ceremony

Youth Program salutes children with personalized certificates, proclamations
March 17, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. – April is the Month of the Military Child, a special month to recognize and pay tribute to military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and for their commitment, courage, and unconditional support of our Armed Forces. To show how much they are appreciated, the National Guard Youth Program is saluting the children of Soldiers and Airmen with personalized certificates and proclamations. Service members who would like to their child to receive a personalized certificate and Month of the Military Child Proclamation should sign up at https://2021momccerts.splashthat.com ... MORE

192nd Medical Group, Det. 1, welcomes new commander to lead transition to COVID-19 vaccination mission, CBRNE evaluation
March 16, 2021 — The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Medical Group, Detachment 1, welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony March 13, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. VaANG members, family and friends tuned into the ceremony via a live streamed broadcast on social media as Lt. Col. Lynn K. Samms assumed command of the specialized medical unit from Lt. Col. Gregory Chew. Col. Jason R. Price, 192nd MDG commander, presided over the ceremony... MORE

An airman hands a flag to another during a change of command ceremony

Virginia National Guard reconfiguring task force to provide mobile vaccination teams
March 15, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard is reconfiguring the task force currently conducting COVID-19 testing and mask fit training to create mobile vaccination teams to provide additional capacity for the statewide vaccination program... MORE

Virginia National Guard personnel administer the COVID-19 vaccine to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam March 15, 2021, at the Executive Mansion in Richmond, Virginia.

Fort Pickett vaccination clinic open to service members, TRICARE beneficiaries, DoD retirees
March 15, 2021 — BLACKSTONE, Va. -- The Virginia National Guard COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic is fully operational at Fort Pickett, and any service member, TRICARE beneficiary or Department of Defense retiree may schedule an appointment to receive their vaccination. Virginia Department of Military Affairs employees and members of the Virginia Defense Force are also eligible to receive a vaccination at the clinic... MORE

VNG opens COVID-19 vaccination clinic, encourages personnel to get vaccinated

203rd RED HORSE honors its fallen on tragedy’s 20th anniversary
March 5, 2021 — Airmen from the 192nd Wing’s 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) came together March 3, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of what's known as the worst peacetime aviation disaster in National Guard history and the worst loss of life in the Virginia National Guard since World War II. ... MORE

An honor guard Airman lays a wreath in front of a memorial

Virginia Air National Guard recognizes its state, national-level winners in virtual ceremony
February 24, 2021 — Leaders from the Virginia Air National Guard recognized the organization’s top performers of the year during an annual awards ceremony Feb. 20, 2021... MORE

Airman stop to receive their awards during a ceremony

VNG Soldiers, Airmen continue COVID-19 response support
February 24, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — Approximately 120 Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s COVID-19 testing task force are continuing operations in support of the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, even as their mission evolves to include support to vaccination clinics run by local health departments across the commonwealth. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provide logistics and operations support at a COVID-19 vaccine point of distribution hosted by the Blue Ridge Health District Feb. 4, 2021, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Financial counseling offered to VNG Soldiers returning from D.C.
February 23, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — As Virginia National Guard Soldiers returned from duty assisting law enforcement in Washington D.C., they began the reverse reception, staging, onward movement and integration process at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett. As part of the process, Soldiers got the opportunity to visit with Virginia National Guard Family Programs representatives, including personal financial counselors, who are able to offer a wide range of knowledge and guidance aimed at helping the VNG’s personnel maintain financial health and readiness. ... MORE

Michael Muldowney, one of two personal financial counselors available to Virginia National Guard personnel, offer services to VNG Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 116th Infantry Regiment, as the out-process from duty in Washington, D.C. Feb. 8, 2021, at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett.

Through trauma, 192nd Wing Airman works to end bullying, boost confidence in children
February 10, 2021 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va.— The year was 2018 when Rebecca Adams was crushed by the news her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Adams has no siblings, and her mother raised her as a single parent in Portsmouth, Virginia. Needless to say, their relationship could be described as nothing less than “very close.” In 2019, the two celebrated receiving college degrees together, in the same month!... MORE

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