Virginia National Guard

Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division to mobilize on federal active duty
October 19, 2016 — More than 450 Virginia and Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division are mobilizing for federal active duty in the Middle East and will conduct a departure ceremony at 11 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2016, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The 29th ID is mobilizing to provide mission command for more than 18,000 United States Army Central/Third Army Soldiers supporting Operation Spartan Shield and theater security cooperation in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This will be the largest number of troops the 29th ID has led since World War II. If needed, the 29th ID would be prepared to conduct contingency operations and command forces to respond to any threats in the CENTCOM area of responsibility... MORE

29th Infantry Division Soldiers begin federal active duty
August 2, 2016 — Senior leaders from state government and the Maryland and Virginia National Guard joined family members, friends and fellow Soldiers in bidding farewell to approximately 80 Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division as they began federal active duty Aug. 1, 2016, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers will provide mission command in the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve... MORE

29th ID leads multinational exercise, Saber Strike 16
July 11, 2016 — More than 20 Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division traveled to Europe to participate in Saber Strike 16 June 4-22, 2016, in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania... MORE

Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, commanding general of the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division and exercise director of Saber Strike 16, speaks with Lt. Gen. Raimonds Graube, the Latvian Chief of Defence, June 9, 2016, in Valka-Valga, a border town between Latvia and Estonia.

Epperly promoted to brigadier general during Fort Belvoir ceremony
March 7, 2016 — Col. John M. Epperly, Deputy Commanding General, Maneuver, of the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division was promoted to brigadier general March 5, 2016, at the Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club... MORE

29th ID tested at Warfighter 16-2
November 26, 2015 — More than 400 Maryland and Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers from the 29th Infantry Division joined with National Guard and active duty Soldiers from around the country, as well as active duty and Air National Guard Airmen, for a nine-day warfighter exercise Nov. 13-22 at Camp Atterbury, Ind... MORE

Lt. Gen. Michael Tucker (left), First Army commanding general, speaks with Brig. Gen. Blake Ortner, commanding general of the Virginia Army National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division, during the Warfighter Exercise 16-2 Nov.18, 2015, at Camp Atterbury, Ind.

29th ID trains for Warfighter Exercise during annual training
August 12, 2015 — The 29th Infantry Division conducted final testing and integration of its computer systems and section operations July 11-24, 2015, at Fort Pickett, Va., in preparation for a warfighter exercise to be held at Camp Atterbury, Ind., later in the year. The November exercise, similar to a final exam, will test the full capabilities of the division and its ability to operate as a command headquarters... MORE

29th ID Soldiers support Operation Inherent Resolve
July 13, 2015 — Ten Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division are currently mobilized in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and U.S. Central Command efforts as members of Combined Joint Interagency Task Force, Syria. They are operating as an engineer team conducting construction project management and contracting efforts throughout the area of operations and as an administrative team supporting personnel actions for Army forces deployed to forward positions throughout the region... MORE

en Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division are currently mobilized in Southwest Asia providing engineer and administrative expertise in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and U.S. Central Command efforts as members of Combined Joint Interagency Task Force, Syria.

29th ID, Va. Guard commemorate 71st anniversary of D-Day
June 16, 2015 — Senior leaders of the 29th Infantry Division and members of the 29th Division Band joined thousands of Americans, French and citizens of other Allied countries at ceremonies commemorating the 71st anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at events June 6, 2015, in Bedford, Va., Yorktown, Va., and on the beaches of Normandy, France... MORE

29th ID Soldiers in Afghanistan serve at National Military Command Center
February 13, 2012 — Five officers from the Virginia and Maryland National Guard, part of the storied 29th Infantry Division's 65-person deployment to Afghanistan in the fall, are assigned to Afghanistan's National Military Command Center where they advise and assist on national military issues... MORE

Soldiers from 29th Infantry Division return from duty in Afghanistan
October 27, 2011 — Approximately 72 Virginia and Maryland National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned home to family and friends Oct. 27 after serving in Afghanistan since early December 2010. The Soldiers returned to their demobilization station at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Oct. 20 and completed health screenings and other administrative tasks to transition from active duty back to National Guard status. The Soldiers returned to airports close to their home of record throughout the day on Thursday... MORE

Virginia, Maryland Soldiers from 29th Infantry Division begin federal active duty for Afghanistan mission
September 14, 2011 — The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division held a departure ceremony Sept. 12 for the Soldiers taking part in the unit’s federal mobilization for the Security Partnering mission in Afghanistan. The Soldiers officially began federal active duty Sept. 11... MORE

Departure ceremony held for 29th ID Soldiers headed to Afghanistan

116th BCT HQs assumes responsibility for mission in Afghanistan
August 8, 2011 — The Virginia Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Brigade Combat Team Headquarters offically began its mission in Afghanistan and took over responsibility from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in a transfer of authority ceremony held Aug. 7 at Forward Operating Base Eagle. The 116th began federal active duty May 15 and will serve as the higher headquarters in Zabul province for coalition troops... MORE

Virginia Guard Soldiers helping build Afghan facilities
June 30, 2011 — Officers from the 29th Infantry Division are helping to build permanent facilities for the Afghan National Security Forces. Afghanistan infrastructure is changing across the country as Afghans and coalition partners join together to build bases for the Afghan National Security Forces. The ANSF is comprised of the Afghan National Army and the five divisions of the Afghan Police... MORE

29th ID troops in Afghanistan commemorate D-Day
June 22, 2011 — On June 6, Staff Sgt. Ryan Yancey raised the colors of the 29th Infantry Division at the International Joint Command Headquarters at the Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan... MORE

29th Infantry Division prepares for Afghanistan deployment
May 30, 2011 — Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division from Virginia and Maryland completed their two-week pre-mobilization training May 23 in order to prepare for a fall deployment to Afghanistan. The 72-person team is scheduled to replace the current group of 29th ID Soldiers who are now deployed to Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force-Security Partnering mission. This will mark the second year of a two-year requirement being filled by the 29th ID in support of the mission... MORE

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