Virginia National Guard

VNG breaks ground on new Army Aviation Support Facility
April 7, 2025 — The Virginia National Guard ceremonially broke ground on the first in a series of projects to construct a new Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility March 31, 2025, in Sandston, Virginia... MORE

VNG aviation crews train on fire suppression during Fort Barfoot prescribed burn
March 17, 2025 — Virginia National Guard aviation crews assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division trained on aerial fire suppression with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with water buckets March 12, 2025, during a prescribed burn at Fort Barfoot, Virginia... MORE

VNG aviation crews train on aerial fire suppression during Fort Barfoot prescribed burn

VNG Soldiers staged, ready for winter weather response
February 11, 2025 — Approximately 65 Virginia National Guard Soldiers are staged and ready Feb. 11, 2025, at VNG facilities along the I-95 and Route 29 corridors as well as the Southwest Virginia area in order to support the response to winter weather which is expected to impact Virginia... MORE

VNG tests response capabilities at Blackstone Army Airfield
January 20, 2025 — “The point is to save lives,” said Michel Lacy, the airfield operations officer at the Blackstone Army Airfield. “The most important thing is to save lives, and this helps us be more proficient. In case something like this really happens, this ensures everyone knows their duties, roles and responsibilities, and that way, it helps reduce the response time for a real emergency.”... MORE

Governor recognizes VNG for rescues, deployments
January 17, 2025 — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin recognized Virginia National Guard assets including aviators assigned to the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team and Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group during his State of the Commonwealth address Jan. 13, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard strengthens retention with aviation experience
December 16, 2024 — Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team participated in retention flights Dec. 7, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia... MORE

Red Dragons hone their sling load skills during drill weekend
December 9, 2024 — Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted sling load training Dec. 7, 2024, at Blackstone Army Airfield in Blackstone, Virginia... MORE

VNG’s Counterdrug Task Force supports Red Ribbon Week events
November 22, 2024 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers joined local, state and federal agencies to help educate and reinforce the importance of a drug-free lifestyle in schools and communities during Red Ribbon Week events at schools across central Virginia Oct. 24-30, 2024. ... MORE

VNG gearing up for Milton, winding down Helene support
October 9, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard is gearing up Oct. 9, 2024, to support Florida as they prepare for the expected impacts of Hurricane Milton while it winds down Hurricane Helene support in Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard Black Hawk helicopter headed to Florida
October 8, 2024 — A Virginia National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crew and members of the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team deployed from Sandston, Virginia, to Florida Oct. 8, 2024, to provide support for expected impacts of Hurricane Milton... MORE

VNG aviation crews depart for Hurricane Milton support mission

VNG AASF holds top spot for aviation maintenance readiness
October 7, 2024 — For three years running, the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility has ranked first in the nation for equipment readiness. Located in Sandston, Virginia, next to Richmond International Airport, with an auxiliary location at the Chesterfield Executive Airport, the AASF is home to the VNG’s fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopters. A dedicated team of around 50 full-time technicians maintains the fleet with just 25 percent of the personnel of a similarly-sized active duty organization, all while also ranking in the top ten nationally for operational tempo... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct air operations training on UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with air crews assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division July 10, 2021, in Pulaski, Virginia. Soldiers who recently graduated from Air Assault and Pathfinder Schools passed along their newly-acquired skills to help build operational knowledge within the unit. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ritah Daniel)

HART makes first real-world rescues, prepares for Florida mission
October 7, 2024 — After years of intense training and planning, Virginia National Guard aviation crews and Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team members conducted real-world rescue hoists of stranded citizens Sept. 27 and 28, 2024, in and around Abingdon, Virginia... MORE

VNG staged, ready in Abingdon, Roanoke for possible severe weather response operations
September 27, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard staged approximately 20 Soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high mobility transportation Sept. 26, 2024, in the Abingdon area in order to support the response to potential impacts of Hurricane Helene. The VNG also staged two Black Hawk helicopters with transport, damage assessment and rescue hoist capabilities in the Roanoke area... MORE

VNG aviation battalion hosts ESGR Boss Lift
July 1, 2024 — More than 50 civilian employers joined their employees for an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift, hosted by the Virginia National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment June 15, 2024, at their Army Aviation Support Facility near Richmond International Airport in Sandston, Virginia. The event aimed to thank employers for their support while providing them a first-hand look at what their employees experience when in a military duty status. The experience included orientation flights on board the battalion’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, as well as static displays that included weapon systems and various pieces of commonly used equipment. ... MORE

NCO induction ceremony held for 14 new aviation battalion NCOs
June 5, 2024 — The Virginia National Guard’s Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division welcomed 14 Soldiers to the noncommissioned officer corps during an NCO Induaction Ceremony held June 1, 2024, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia... MORE

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