Virginia National Guard

Va. Guard Soldiers support security operations in Charlottesville
August 14, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard rapidly responded when requested to assist local law enforcement and Virginia State Police with security operations Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville after Governor Terry McAuliffe made a state emergency declaration when violence escalated at a “Unite the Right” rally. Guard Soldiers were part of the multi-agency team assembled in advance of the rally, held in Emancipation Park, and helped law enforcement restore order after the gathering was determined to be an unlawful assembly. Later in the day, one person was killed in a car attack and two Virginia State Police troopers died when their helicopter crashed... MORE

D-Day service and sacrifice honored at events across the globe
June 8, 2017 — On the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, Soldiers, citizens and leaders took part in ceremonial events June 3-6, 2017, in Virginia, France and the U.S. Army Central Command area of operations to honor the World War II veterans who stormed the beaches of Normandy along with those who gave their lives in support of the Allied invasion... MORE

New exhibit highlights Va. Guard service in WWI
May 24, 2017 — A new exhibit highlighting the Virginia National Guard’s service in World War I officially opened May 22, 2017, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. For the National Guard, WWI was significant because it was the first time volunteer state militia units were federalized under U.S. Army structure and deployed overseas for combat operations... MORE

Va. Guard Soldiers, Airmen awarded for rifle marksmanship excellence
May 22, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen received awards for their outstanding performance during the Adjutant General’s 2017 Rifle Match May 21, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Sixty-five participants competed in a variety of individual and team events May 19-20, hosted by the Fort Pickett-based 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regional Training Institute. The state-level competition included events such as reflexive fire, an urban assault course, and a course for the Army’s Excellence in Competition badge. All Virginia National Guardsmen are welcome to attend, regardless of rank or prior weapon qualification scores, because it is most importantly a training and sustainment event... MORE

Cake cutting ceremony recognizes 410th birthday of Va. National Guard, Jamestown
May 12, 2017 — A cake cutting ceremony to recognize the 410th birthday of the Virginia National Guard and Jamestown was held May 12, 2017, Sandston, Virginia. The Virginia Guard traces the heritage and traditions of Citizen-Soldier and Citizen-Airmen service to the founding of Jamestown when Capt. John Smith organized the colonists for defense. Since the colony’s founding on May 14, 1607, there has not been a day since without a military presence in Virginia to defend freedom at home and overseas... MORE

Top Va. Guard units recognized at inaugural Virginia Military Ball
April 30, 2017 — Virginia Army and Air National Units were recognized for exceeding standards for readiness at the state and national level and for outstanding mission accomplishment at the inaugural Virginia Military Ball held April 29, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Retired Army Col. Roger Donlon, the first person to receive the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War, served as the guest speaker and shared his experiences and personal stories of Soldiers he served with in Vietnam... MORE

Va. Guard helps commemorate 100th anniversary of U.S. entry to WWI
April 11, 2017 — One hundred years after America entered the conflict of what would become known as World War I, Virginia citizens, veterans and leaders joined Virginia National Guard Soldiers for a commemoration ceremony April 6, 2017, at the Virginia War Memorial Carillon in Richmond, Virginia. The event, hosted by the Virginia World War I and World War II Commemoration Commission included remarks by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Jaime Areizaga-Soto, and a keynote address by Dr. Lynn Rainville, Research Professor in the Humanities at Sweet Briar College. Delegate Kirk Cox, chairman of the Commission, served as the master of ceremony... MORE

29th Division Band supports Yorktown museum opening
April 3, 2017 — Soldiers of the 29th Division Band provided ceremonial detail for the dedication ceremony of the American Revolution Museum April 1, 2017, in Yorktown, Virginia. The Virginia National Guard Soldiers, along with Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, were on hand to celebrate the recently-opened museum. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and Col. Thierry Casanova, representing the embassy of France to the United States, were among the many distinguished guests at the historic event... MORE

Flora presents lecture on importance of diversity in the military
March 31, 2017 — Brig. Gen. Lapthe Flora, Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General for Strategic Initiatives, presented a lecture on the topic “Diversity as a Force Multiplier in the Military” March 29, 2017, at the Bedford Welcome Center in Bedford, Virginia. The event was the first of the World War I speakers series sponsored by the Virginia World War I and World War II Commemoration Commission in partnership with the Virginia National Guard... MORE

Rose selected as Chief of General Officer Management at National Guard Bureau
March 31, 2017 — Col. Michelle Rose of the Virginia National Guard has been selected to serve as Chief of General Officer Management at National Guard Bureau, according to an announcement made March 30, 2017, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. The assignment is a two-year active duty tour at National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia... MORE

Sec. Moran recognizes Va. Guard federal active duty service
March 29, 2017 — Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran presented the Governor’s National Service Medal to Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 29th Infantry Division March 19, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. The medals recognized the Soldiers who served in specialized teams on federal active duty overseas. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, was also on hand to recognize the Soldiers and present his challenge coin to Soldiers for outstanding duty performance. Both Moran and Williams also thanked family members for their outstanding support during the deployment... MORE

Camp Pendleton announced as winner of Secretary of the Army Environmental Award
March 9, 2017 — Camp Pendleton is one of five installations recognized as a winner in the Fiscal Year 2016 Secretary of the Army Environmental Awards, earning top honors in the Cultural Resources Management – Small Installation Category. The awards are the highest honor in the field of environmental science and sustainability conferred by the Army... MORE

Virginia National Guard family, volunteer receive national recognition for service
February 17, 2017 — A Virginia National Guard family was recognized as the Army National Guard Family of the Year and a volunteer was recognized as Regional Volunteer of the Year in an announcement published Feb. 13, 2017, by Maj. Gen. Kevin L. McNeely, the Director of J1 Manpower and Personnel at National Guard Bureau... MORE

Va. Guard displays capabilities, commended by state leaders
January 20, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force displayed some of the Guard’s warfighting and domestic operations capabilities Jan. 19, 2017, outside the Virginia General Assembly building in Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. hosted a reception in the morning, and the Virginia National Guard Association and Virginia Guard Enlisted Association hosted a legislative reception in the evening at the Library of Virginia. Virginia Guard Soldiers, Airmen and VDF troopers were recognized in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, and throughout the day Governor Terry McAuliffe, First Lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and members of the General Assembly commended the Virginia Guard for the organization’s service to commonwealth and country throughout the year... MORE

AG shares legislative priorities, update on Va. Guard with JLC
January 12, 2017 — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, updated members of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations on the Virginia National Guard and discussed the Va. Guard’s legislative initiatives for the 2017 session of the Virginia General Assembly Jan. 12, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. The JLC provides a vehicle for veterans service organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to collaborate with the Department of Veterans Services on meeting the needs of Virginia’s veterans... MORE

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