Virginia National Guard

Bissell takes command of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo
July 11, 2018 — The NATO Headquarters Transfer of Authority ceremony took place July 9, 2018, between the incoming commander U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Marti J. Bissell and the outgoing commander U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Huston. Huston said he was departing with an even greater sense of optimism and faith in the people of this country, and the knowledge that working together is the key to making difference... MORE

Virginia Guard hosts NGB GIS training course
June 27, 2018 — The Virginia National Guard hosted more than two dozen National Guard Airmen, Soldiers and civilians from more than six states and territories for geographic information system training June 11-15, 2018, at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard Lakota helicopter and crew depart for Southwest Border support
June 7, 2018 — A Virginia National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter with aviation crew departed June 4, 2018, to provide aerial detection and monitoring support for the Arizona National Guard’s mission to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on the Southwest Border. The mission is scheduled to last approximately 90 days and could be extended... MORE

Bissell promoted to brigadier general, will command NATO headquarters in Sarajevo
June 4, 2018 — Col. Marti J. Bissell was promoted to brigadier general June 1, 2018, in Arlington, Virginia, and she will serve as the Commander and Senior Military Representative at North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters, Sarajevo. A transfer of authority ceremony is scheduled for July 9. Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, the Chief of National Guard Bureau, officiated the promotion ceremony, and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, administered the oath of office... MORE

34th CST evaluated as fully mission capable
June 3, 2018 — The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team was evaluated as fully trained on 12 essential collective tasks after conducting a Training Proficiency Evaluation May 22 and 24, 2018, in Dinwiddie County and Hanover County, Virginia. The evaluation was supervised by U.S. Army North’s Civil Support Readiness Group-East in order to validate the unit’s level of readiness... MORE

West Virginia, Virginia Soldiers ride to cycle out sexual assault
May 30, 2018 — Five National Guard Soldiers rode their bicycles 350 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Washington, D.C., all to cycle out sexual assault. The Soldiers, from the West Virginia and Virginia National Guard, rode May 9-13, 2018, battling rain storms, mud pits and scorching temperatures to show sexual assault survivors that they’re not alone, to bring awareness to the sexual assault and harassment prevention programs within our military and to show that sexual assault will not be tolerated... MORE

Virginia’s fallen honored at Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony
May 28, 2018 — Virginians from all branches of the Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to the United States of America were remembered May 28, 2018, at the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. Virginia. Ten Virginia National Guard Soldiers have been killed by hostile enemy action since Sept. 11, 2001, and they are among the more than 300 Virginians remembered on the Wall of Honor at the Memorial... MORE

Virginia National Guard cuts ribbon at new state headquarters
May 14, 2018 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, members of the Virginia Defense Force, friends and family members joined distinguished guests at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Virginia National Guard’s newly-built Joint Force Headquarters building May 14, 2018, at Defense Supply Center Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia. U.S. Senator Mark Warner, First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and Brig. Gen. Linda S. Hurry, commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond, joined Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Ferris, Virginia National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader, in forming the official party who cut the ribbon on the new facility. The 102,000 square foot, $30 million building is the first structure purpose built to serve as a headquarters for the Virginia National Guard in its 411 year history... MORE

Virginia National Guard to host Vigilant Guard emergency response exercise
May 2, 2018 — More than 2,000 National Guard personnel from six states and Washington, D.C., will take part in the Vigilant Guard 18-3 emergency response exercise May 7-10, 2018, at multiple locations in Virginia to improve their ability to respond to a natural disaster and enhance relationships with local, state and federal emergency response partners. The event will simulate a Category 4 hurricane making landfall in Virginia and exercise how the Virginia National Guard would assist in the state’s response with a full mobilization of personnel and coordination to bring in additional National Guard capabilities to help the state’s response effort... MORE

Ring to succeed Griffin as Director of the Joint Staff
May 1, 2018 — Col. James W. Ring has been named to succeed Brig. Gen. Paul F. Griffin as the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff and will be promoted to brigadier general, according to an announcement made May 1, 2018, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Griffin will transition to a traditional Guard status and retire later this year after more than 30 years of service. Ring currently serves as the Virginia Army National Guard Chief of Staff, and his effective date as the Director of the Joint Staff is May 5... MORE

Top Virginia National Guard units, individuals recognized at Virginia Military Ball
April 30, 2018 — Virginia National Guard senior leaders recognized the top company-level units in the Virginia Army National Guard for high levels of readiness at the second annual Virginia Military Ball April 28, 2018, in Norfolk, Virginia. Outstanding Soldiers and Airmen were also recognized at an awards reception before the ball, as were Army units earning the Excellence in Training award... MORE

First Lady, AG honor volunteers at annual Volunteer Training Workshop and Youth Symposium
April 18, 2018 — First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam joined Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, in honoring Virginia National Guard volunteers at the 2018 Virginia National Guard State Volunteer Recognition and Training Workshop April 15, 2018, in Williamsburg, Virginia. The annual two-day event recognizes and thanks volunteers for their efforts in support of family programs and includes training and information sessions on a variety of topics... MORE

Tank, fighter jet added to displays at new JFHQ-VA HQs site
April 10, 2018 — Contractors working for the Virginia National Guard placed an M41 Walker Bulldog tank and an F-84 Thunderstreak fighter on display pads outside the site of the new Joint Force Headquarters – Virginia building April 8, 2018, at Defense Supply Center Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The tank and fighter jet join a UH-1 Huey helicopter and 105mm M101A1 towed howitzer on display outside the news headquarters building... MORE

Virginia Guard hosts SAPR Victim Advocate refresher training
April 4, 2018 — The Virginia National Guard hosted more than 50 National Guard, Reserve and active duty Soldiers and Airmen from more than 15 states and territories for a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate refresher training course March 27-30, 2018, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The 32-hour training focuses on victim advocacy, prevention and ethics and featured guest speakers from local, state and national agencies... MORE

Virginia Guard hosts SAPR Victim Advocate resfresher training

DMA personnel train on new radio equipment with VSP
March 20, 2018 — After years of research, planning and approval processes, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs finally received more than $1.7 million in Statewide Agencies Radio System, or STARS, equipment. On March 15, 2018, representatives from the Virginia State Police, who manage the system, conducted a short training session on the equipment for Virginia Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force... MORE

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