Virginia National Guard

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

More than 100 29th ID Soldiers return to USA from federal duty in Jordan
July 9, 2017 — More than 100 Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned stateside July 9, 2017, after serving on federal active duty in Jordan since September 2016. The Soldiers arrived at their demobilization station in Texas where they will spend approximately seven to 10 days for reintegration training, medical evaluation and administrative tasks to transition from federal active duty to traditional National Guard status... MORE

29th Infantry Division to transfer mission to 35th Infantry Division
July 7, 2017 — CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 29th Infantry Division will hand over control of Operation Spartan Shield to the 35th Infantry Division in a transfer of authority ceremony July 13, 2017, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The two divisions have been paired together several times throughout their storied histories. Both units celebrate their 100th anniversaries this year, and the TOA ceremony will mark another historic milestone where the two divisions have crossed paths... MORE

29th Division Band performs at ceremony honoring Medal of Honor recipient
June 24, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard’s 29th Division Band provided music June 24, 2017, in Madison, Virginia, for a ceremony dedicating a new historical highway marker honoring a U.S. Army corporal awarded the Medal of Honor for “extraordinary heroism” during a U.S. cavalry fight with Apache Indians on Jan. 24, 1877, in the Florida Mountains of New Mexico... 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

U.S., Canadian military personnel earn German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Jordan
May 30, 2017 — Following three grueling days of physical tests, more than 50 U.S. Army Central Soldiers, including Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, a U.S. Air Forces Central Airman and two Canadian Armed Forces soldiers earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge May 30, 2017, in Jordan. The GAFPB is a decoration of the German Armed Forces, authorized for wear by the U.S. military, and awarded to soldiers of all ranks. A German air force officer from the German Embassy in Amman served as an advisor and oversaw the three-day event, which was hosted by the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 149th Military Engagement Team... MORE

U.S., Jordanian military legal professionals gain greater understanding through joint symposium
May 30, 2017 — U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force legal professionals from the U.S. Central Command area of operations teamed with 10 Jordan Armed Forces- Arab Army military judges for a four-day symposium on operational law and military justice April 24-27, 2017, near Amman, Jordan... 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

29th ID, Kuwaiti leaders meet to build partnership
May 12, 2017 — Brig. Gen. John Epperly, Deputy Commander of Task Force Spartan, recently met with Kuwaiti Major General, Khalid Saleh Al Sabah at the Kuwaiti Land Forces Headquarters here. Air Force Brigadier General David San Clemente, Office of Military Cooperation, joined the two Army officers as they discussed matters of mutual interest including security cooperation, equipment, and upcoming exercises... 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

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

Eyes on the Sky: 29th ID Soldiers enhance theatre capabilities
January 25, 2017 — Air Defense capabilities are constantly upgrading to stay ahead of emerging threats. Soldiers are trained on a variety of systems and equipment at the Air Defense schoolhouse, but for many this training will be their only experience with a majority of the systems, especially for Soldiers serving in Division-level units. When Soldiers with the 29th Infantry Division Air Missile Defense Team were granted a chance to implement their training on the latest radar systems here, members of the unit saw it as a chance for the unit’s Sentinel Radar team to embrace the rare opportunity and lead the way for divisions to follow as they participate in Operation Spartan Shield... MORE

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