Virginia National Guard

VNG Chaplains gather for joint sustainment training
April 15, 2024 — More than 40 chaplains and religious affairs specialists personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard, and the Virginia Defense Force came together for a two-day Joint Chaplain Annual Sustainment Training event April 13-14, 2024, at the Virginia National Guard’s Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia... MORE

VNG, VDF Chaplains gather for joint sustainment training

Salmon, Batterton selected for new positions, promotions
April 15, 2024 — Maj. Gen. Bryan E. Salmon has been selected to serve as the United States Air Force Special Assistant to the Director of the Air National Guard at National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia, according to an announcement made April 9, 2024, by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Brig. Gen. Christopher Batterton has been selected to succeed Salmon as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air National Guard Strategic Initiatives... MORE

Commander of Finnish Air Force meets with VNG leaders
April 10, 2024 — Finnish Maj. Gen. Juha-Pekka Keränen, commander of the Finnish Air Force, met with Virginia National Guard leaders April 8, 2024, during a visit at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia... MORE

VNG’s 192nd Wing to receive 2022 Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
April 5, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard’s 192nd Wing is one of 14 Air National Guard units to receive the 2022 Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award, according to an announcement made April 4, 2024, by Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, Director of the Air National Guard at National Guard Bureau. ... MORE

A U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 149th Fighter Squadron, Virginia Air National Guard, prepares for take off in an F-22 Raptor

Governor, AG recognize outstanding performance at VNG Military Ball
February 29, 2024 — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin delivered the keynote address at the 2024 Virginia National Guard Military Ball and Gala Feb. 24, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia, and helped recognize some of the VNG’s top performers... MORE

New director looks to keep ChalleNGe striving for excellence
February 26, 2024 — Jennifer D. Lanz is the new director of the Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy and started her new position Feb. 1, 2024. Lanz most recently served as assistant principal at Floyd E. Kellam High School in Virginia Beach. Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program and is based at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ChalleNGe is a 17-and-a-half-month program that is structured in a military-style environment designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and pride... MORE

Jennifer D. Lanz, the new director of the Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy, meets with cadets following morning formation Feb. 15, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. L

Governor Youngkin commends Virginia National Guard
January 31, 2024 — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin commended the Virginia National Guard for the organization's service to commonwealth and country at a reception Jan. 17, 2024, hosted by the Virginia National Guard Association in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

529th CSSB begins federal duty ahead of deployment to Poland
January 30, 2024 — Approximately 70 Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Headquarters, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group marked the start of its federal active-duty mobilization with a departure ceremony Jan. 28, 2024, in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Senior leaders join top VNG Soldiers, Airmen for GA visit
January 19, 2024 — Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Command Chief Master Sergeant Kelly B. Reich, Virginia National Guard Command Senior Enlisted Leader, led a delegation of the VNG’s top Soldiers and Airmen meeting their representatives at the Virginia General Assembly Jan. 17, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

Martin takes command of VaARNG from Gallagher
January 11, 2024 — Col. Charles B. Martin Jr. was promoted to brigadier general and formally took command of the Virginia Army National Guard from Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher during a change of command ceremony Jan. 6, 2024, at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

DMA recognizes state employees during luncheon
January 10, 2024 — Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, the outgoing Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, thanked DMA state employees during a DMA recognition luncheon and holiday social Dec. 5, 2023, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. ... MORE

VaANG’s 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron officially opens new headquarters
December 21, 2023 — The Virginia Air National Guard’s 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 192nd Operations Group, 192nd Wing, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of its state-of-the-art cyberspace facility Dec. 1, 2023, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. This milestone begins a new chapter for the history of the 185th COS, also known as “the Bats,” and marks the 192nd Wing’s first purpose-built structure since its move from Sandston to Langley in 2007... MORE

Four military members holding yellow ribbon, one cutting with scissors.

Virginia National Guard 2023 Year in Review
December 18, 2023 — The Virginia National Guard had another busy year in 2023 balancing the demands of both its state and federal missions... MORE

Saber Soldiers participate in Arctic Forge exercise in Finland

Nevers set to replace Mercer as DMA Chief Operations Officer
December 11, 2023 — After eight years guiding the Virginia Department of Military Affairs as the Chief Operations Officer, retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer is retiring from the DMA effective Dec. 31, 2023, with another retired Virginia National Guard officer, retired Col. Everton E. Nevers, taking over the role of COO. ... MORE

116th Infantry Regiment holds 55th Annual Muster on Veterans Day
November 29, 2023 — Veterans of the 116th Infantry Regiment and Soldiers of the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team gathered to honor the unit’s history and enjoy an evening of camaraderie at the 55th annual 116th Infantry Regiment Muster Nov. 11, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia. Congressman Ben Cline and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, both delivered remarks and Col. Jared Lake, commander of the 116th IBCT, provided an update on the brigade’s activities over the last year. ... MORE

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