Virginia National Guard

CMSgt Lawanda Jackson makes VaANG history as the first Black woman to achieve the rank
September 22, 2021 — The Virginia Air National Guard has had its share of women trailblazers. Betty J. McDaniel, first woman to enlist. Rebecca A. Sisson and Mary Rebkovich, first female officers. And, Toni M. Lord, is the first woman to serve as Air Component Commander for the Virginia National Guard. These are just some of the women who have had a lasting effect on the VaANG and paved the way for future generations... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Lawanda Jackson, 192nd Support Squadron Mobility Flight chief, addresses the audience in attendance at her promotion ceremony on July 10, 20221, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. She was the first Black woman to be promoted to chief in the history of the Virginia Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Eugene Silvers)

World Trade Center elevator pulley dedicated at VNG 9/11 remembrance ceremony
September 20, 2021 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and guests gathered to remember the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and dedicate a World Trade Center elevator pulley for historical display Sept. 11, 2021, at the VNG Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

Sending off the Bats! - the 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron supports USCYBERCOM
September 17, 2021 — Virginia Air National Guard members from the 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron have embarked on a six-month mobilization this month in support of United States Cyber Command’s 856th Cyber Protection Team. The Airmen celebrated their upcoming mission with family and command leadership during send-off ceremonies in August 2021 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia... MORE

Virginia Air National Guard members from the 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron ceremoniously removed their 185th COS bat patch, replacing it with the 856th Cyber Protection Team patch during send-off ceremonies Aug. 7, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Airman jumps into action using deployment training, resuscitates drowning child
September 12, 2021 — Situations can change in an instant. We’ve all heard that before. But for Master Sgt. Keona Newsom, a commander’s support staff noncommissioned officer in charge with the 192nd Operations Group, it was never more true than on July 27, 2021... MORE

Master Sgt. Keona Newsom, 192nd Operations Group commander’s support staff noncommissioned officer in charge, is sitting down and smiling for a photo.

Airmen remember 20th Anniversary of 9/11 with 20K
September 11, 2021 — In the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 11, 2021, approximately 40 Airmen assigned to the 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, gathered to remember the events of September 11th, 2001, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. In teams of up to four Airmen, or individually, they walked or ran a combined distance of 20 kilometers in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the attack on the United States... MORE

A group of Airmen walk and run outside in an event.

Yang takes command of the 192nd MDG as Price retires
August 31, 2021 — The 192nd Medical Group, Virginia Air National Guard, held a joint change of command and retirement ceremony Aug. 7, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Col. Frank Y. Yang took command of the group from Col. Jason R. Price who then retired from the VaANG... MORE

Col. Christopher G. Batterton, 192nd Wing commander, left, passes the 192nd Medical Group guidon to Col. Frank Y. Yang marking his assumption of command for the group.

34th CST trains at FIG on chemical, biological hazards
August 24, 2021 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team conducted training including two full-scale exercises in preparation for an upcoming Training Proficiency Evaluation Jul 26-30, 2021, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. ... MORE

192nd Mission Support Group recognizes new commander
August 8, 2021 — The 192nd Mission Support Group welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony July 10, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Col. J. Stock Dinsmore relinquished command of the 192nd MSG to Col. David R. Lands. Dinsmore served as the MSG commander from December 2017 to July 2021... MORE

ceremony, mission support group, 192nd Wing, Virginia, air national guard

Virginia National Guard ends COVID-19 response mission
August 2, 2021 — The Virginia National Guard’s support to Virginia’s COVID-19 response ended July 31, 2021, after more than 460 days of assisting with vaccinations, testing and administrative, logistics and planning support at locations across the state... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers conduct a mobile vaccination mission on board international ships in July 2021 in Norfolk, Virginia.

192nd Maintenance Squadron holds assumption of command
July 22, 2021 — The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Maintenance Squadron gained a new commander, Lt. Col. Elim H. Sniady, during an assumption of command ceremony July 11, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia... MORE

The 192nd Maintenance Squadron holds an assumption of command ceremony July 11, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Lt. Col. Elim H. Sniady assumed command of the squadron after serving as Air National Guard Combat Forces advisor.

Online training provides valuable collaborative experience for VNG chaplains
July 14, 2021 — Religious support personnel from all components of the Virginia National Guard participated in a virtual training event June 5, 2021, designed to not only provide required training but also to increase communication and improve collaboration between the services. “It was a really good mix of Army, Air and Virginia Defense Force, as well as active duty,” said Capt. Will Cochrane, chaplain for the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group. “There was a great joint aspect with different elements represented. It was unique to be with them and collaborate. I honestly don’t remember a time when we’ve done that before. Everyone had a piece of the training.”... MORE

Dual-military couple provides mutual support through unique challenges
June 15, 2021 — U.S. Air Force Maj. Jonathan Patterson and U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Patterson knew within the early stages of their respective careers that military service was the right fit for them. The couple joined their respective branches about a decade apart, Maj. Patterson first, in early 2001, and Sgt. Patterson later, in 2011. The decade between their entry into the military saw a drastic change in policy toward members of the LGBTQ+ community. ... MORE

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

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