Virginia National Guard

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

Epperly takes command of 29th Infantry Division
May 6, 2018 — Brig. Gen. John M. Epperly took command of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, Army National Guard, from Maj. Gen. Blake C. Ortner during a traditional change of command ceremony May 5, 2018, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau, presided over the exchange of unit colors that represented the transfer of command from Ortner to Epperly... MORE

29th Soldiers participate in ceremony honoring WWI veteran
April 7, 2018 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division participated in a memorial tree planting ceremony to honor the memory of Pvt. Herman Davis, a decorated World War I veteran, March 4, 2018, in Manila, Arkansas. The ceremony commemorates the 100th anniversary of Davis’s enlistment into Company I, 113th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division... MORE

Epperly to succeed Ortner as commander of 29th Infantry Division
April 5, 2018 — Brig. Gen. John M. Epperly will succeed Maj. Gen. Blake C. Ortner as the commander of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, according to an announcement made April 5, 2018, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. The assignment was effective April 5... MORE

Ortner selected as the Military Executive for the Reserve Forces Policy Board
March 23, 2018 — Maj. Gen. Blake C. Ortner has been selected to serve as the Military Executive for the Reserve Forces Policy Board in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, according to an announcement made March 21, 2018, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. The position is effective April 1, 2018... MORE

Red Dragons conduct individual, squad-level training at Pickett during March drill
March 5, 2018 — Approximately 800 Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted training on individual skills and squad-level tactics March 2-4, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

29th ID Soldier is jumping for gold
March 1, 2018 — As the world focused its attention on the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, one Virginia Army National Guard Soldier was setting her sights a little further, to the summer games in 2020... MORE

29th ID receives Army Meritorious Unit Commendation for 2016-2017 deployment
February 21, 2018 — Headquarters Battalion, 29th Infantry Division received the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation for its 2016-2017 deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve, Maj. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, the 29th ID commander, announced to a formation of 29th ID Soldiers Jan. 14, 2018, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia... MORE

Treasure trove of historic flags found in Virginia War Museum
February 21, 2018 — Thanks to a sharp-eyed employee at the Virginia War Museum in Newport News, Virginia, another treasure trove of historic flags has been found. While conducting an inventory of a seldom-used storage compartment at the museum, the museum worker quickly realized that the contents of the cabinet contained the World War I Regimental flags for the 111th Field Artillery Regiment and the 116th Infantry Regiments of the 29th Division... MORE

Gravely named as new Fort Pickett garrison commander, Scott to serve as 29th ID chief of staff
December 13, 2017 — Lt. Col. Paul Gravely will succeed Col. Preston Scott, Jr., as the Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett garrison commander, according to an announcement made Dec. 13, 2017, by Maj. Gen. Timothy Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Gravely currently serves as the Fort Pickett director of plans, training and security, and Jan. 7, 2018, is his effective date for command. Scott will succeed Col. Kerry Dull as the chief of staff of the 29th Infantry Division... MORE

29th Infantry Division Soldiers honored by Maryland, Virginia for overseas service
December 12, 2017 — Maryland and Virginia National Guard leadership each honored members of the 29th Infantry Division for their recent overseas deployment during ceremonies Dec. 2-3, 2017, in Maryland and Virginia. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, as well as Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, thanked the Soldiers and families of the 29th ID for their dedication, service and sacrifices over the past year at a holiday reception Dec. 2, 2017, at the Virginia Governor’s Mansion in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

29th ID Headquarters Battalion changes command at Fort Belvoir
November 7, 2017 — Lt. Col. Edward Lewis assumed command of Headquarters Battalion, 29th Infantry Division from Lt. Col. H. Cary Payne during a traditional change of command ceremony Nov. 4, 2017, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, commanding general of the 29th Infantry Division, presided over the passing of colors that symbolizes the transfer of command from Payne to Lewis... MORE

Va. National Guard officially opens Roanoke Regional Readiness Center
August 4, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard formally opened the new Roanoke Regional Readiness Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, in Troutville, Virginia. Virginia 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, joined other Virginia National Guard senior leaders and members of the Facilities Management Office in cutting the ribbon. The 29th Division Band is first unit to relocate to the new facility... MORE

29th ID Soldiers return from federal duty in Kuwait
July 25, 2017 — FORT BELVOIR, Va. — One of the final groups of Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned to Virginia July 25, 2017, after serving on federal active duty since November 2016. The Soldiers served in the Middle East in support of Task Force Spartan Shield as the first intermediate division headquarters under U.S. Army Central Command. Senior leaders from state government and the Maryland and Virginia National Guard greeted Soldiers when they arrived at Dulles Airport, then the Soldiers reunited with family, friends and fellow Soldiers in Maryland and Virginia. A small number of Soldiers remain at their demobilization station in Texas to finalize their transition from federal active duty to traditional Guard status... MORE

One of the final groups of Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returns to Virginia July 25, 2017, after serving on federal active duty since November 2016.

First groups of 29th ID Soldiers return from federal duty in Kuwait
July 10, 2017 — The first groups of Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned to Virginia July 10, 2017, after serving on federal active duty since November 2016. The Soldiers served in the Middle East in support of Task Force Spartan Shield as the first intermediate division headquarters under U.S. Army Central Command... MORE

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