Virginia National Guard

229th BEB NCO felt destined for military service
March 5, 2021 — FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – As a kid, Sgt. Cassandra Lyons grew up playing with G.I Joes, so it wasn’t that surprising when she joined the Virginia National Guard her junior year of high school. “I felt almost destined to be in the military,” she explained. “I had an interest in the comradery the organization provides.”... MORE

, Sgt. Cassandra Lyons, the supply sergeant for Alpha Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, poses in her office March 2, 2021, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Holden Russell)

VNG completes mission in Washington, D.C.
February 11, 2021 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — The last group of Virginia National Guard personnel assisting civilian law enforcement with security operations at the 59th Presidential Inauguration and the days before and after the event departed Washington, D.C., Feb. 7, 2021... MORE

Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kaine present thank you letters to Col. Chris Samulski, commander of the Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Feb. 8, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

Virginia Guard SGM chosen for U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program
February 3, 2021 — RICHMOND, Virginia - A Virginia Army National Guard sergeant major has been selected for the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program and will spend two years as an instructor at the USASMA in Fort Bliss, Texas... MORE

29th Infantry Division supports 59th Presidential Inauguration
January 27, 2021 — WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division assisted federal agencies in securing the nation’s capital during the 59th Presidential Inauguration. The 29th ID Soldiers were among more than 26,000 National Guard members from 50 states and three territories who were activated to support the inauguration by augmenting the Capitol Police, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Park Police and D.C. Metro Police Department. ... MORE

29th ID DCG leads 9,000 member task force at Presidential Inauguration

116th IBCT leads task force of 12 states at PI59
January 27, 2021 — WASHINGTON, DC — The Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team took a lead role in the security of the 59th Presidential Inauguration, commanding a task force of more than 7,400 Soldiers and Airmen from 12 different states. The coalition, named Team Capitol, was responsible for maintaining the physical security of the Capitol grounds. On inauguration day, the 116th headquarters served as the operations center to coordinate thousands of Guardsmen lining fences with shields, body armor and rifles... MORE

429th BSB Soldier stand guard in Washington, D.C.

Virginia National Guard supporting 59th Presidential Inauguration
January 15, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has approximately 2,400 personnel on the ground in Washington D.C. as of Jan. 14, 2021, assisting civilian law enforcement in protecting property and providing a safe environment for citizens to exercise their right to peacefully assemble and protest leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20... MORE

Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the 192nd Security Forces Squadron, 192nd Mission Support Group, 192nd Wing stand guard on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 13, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

VNG units upgrade small arms arsenal during NET/NEF
January 12, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers from across the commonwealth trained on and fielded new small arms and weapons components at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett’s New Equipment Training / New Equipment Fielding facility Dec. 7 - 11, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group conduct a familiarization live fire with the M320A1 grenade launcher Dec. 11, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Virginia National Guard staged, ready for possible winter storm response operations
December 16, 2020 — The Virginia National Guard has staged approximately 60 Soldiers and 20 vehicles for state emergency support duty in the northwest area of the state Dec. 16, 2020, and they are ready to assist local and state emergency agencies respond to potential impacts from heavy snow along the I-81 and I-66 corridors. Expected missions for the VNG include using Humvees and light/medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through deep snow or help evacuate citizens in need of shelter as well as providing debris reduction teams with chain saws to help clear roads if needed... MORE

A Virginia National Guard Soldier assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducts pre-mission maintenance checks Dec. 16, 2020, in Staunton, Virginia.

Current, former field artillery Soldiers receive Order of St. Barbara
December 16, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — A select group of current and former Virginia National Guard artillery Soldiers are being recognized for their service to the field artillery community with the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara... MORE

Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, presents the Ancient Order of St. Barbara to retired Col. Mike Coleman during a ceremony at the Capitol of Virginia Dec. 14, 2020, in Richmond, Virginia.

Cav Soldiers recognize Smithfield VFW for support
September 21, 2020 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Suffolk-based Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recognized and thanked members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545 in Smithfield, Virginia, during a unit awards ceremony Sept. 11, 2020, in Suffolk, Virginia. Bravo Troop and Post 8545 came together under the VFW’s Adopt-a-Unit program. According to the VFW more than 121,000 military and family members are actively supported by VFW Posts and Auxiliaries through the VFW Adopt-a-Unit program... MORE

Bennett VNG’s first female infantry enlistment, Infantry School graduate
August 27, 2020 — Pvt. Ana-Alicia Bennett, the Virginia Army National Guard’s first female infantry enlistment, made history July 17, 2020, when she graduated from the U.S. Army’s Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. With successful completion of training, Bennett becomes one of only a few female infantry Soldiers to serve in the Virginia National Guard and the first to initially enlist and successfully complete training as an 11B... MORE

Pvt. Ana-Alicia Bennett poses for a photograph with her parents July 27, 2020, outside their home in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

VNG Soldiers train on CROWS remote weapons system
August 27, 2020 — Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers from across the Commonwealth conducted training on the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station during a one week training course Aug. 17-21, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The course was designed to familiarize Soldiers with the M153 CROWS system, an externally mounted weapons control system that allows the gunner to remain inside the vehicle, protected by armor while being able to remotely fire various crew served weapons... MORE

Teamwork, attention to detail helps LT earn Ranger Tab
August 18, 2020 — When Virginia National Guardsman 1st Lt. Aidan O’Connor decided to go to Ranger School, it was partly because of leadership. So many of the best leaders he’d met had Ranger tabs on their shoulders and while O’Connor knew that wasn’t all it took to excel in the leadership arena, it seemed like a pretty good start. Plus, O’Connor says he was looking for a challenge, which he knew Ranger School would deliver. ... MORE

First Lt. Aidan O’Connor (front row, third from the right) poses alongside his fellow Ranger School Graduates after successfully completing the course. O’Connor, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, is currently assigned as the executive officer to Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Samulski takes command of 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
August 4, 2020 — Col. Christopher J. Samulski took command of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. Joseph A. DiNonno July 31, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Maj. Gen. John M. Epperly, commander of the 29th Infantry Division, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from DiNonno to Samulski... MORE

Col. Christopher J. Samulski takes command of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. Joseph A. DiNonno July 31, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Virginia National Guard welcomes first female infantry company commander
July 28, 2020 — WOODSTOCK, Va. — During a small, socially-distanced ceremony, Capt. Candice Bowen became the Virginia National Guard’s first female infantry company commander when she took command of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Capt. Timothy England July 18, 2020, in Woodstock, Virginia. “It feels… ... MORE

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