Virginia National Guard

Va. flight crews build trust, train with W. Va. special operators
September 3, 2018 — A crowd of spectators started to form as two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters appeared over the tree line and landed along the shore of Lake Erie. It was almost lunchtime on Sept. 5, 2018, and already that morning a small group of Soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group were busy preparing their equipment and getting ready for the day’s training in Hamburg, New York, just south of Buffalo... MORE

Va. National Guard aviation battalion trains around the state
July 10, 2018 — The Virginia National Guard’s Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division trained on squad and platoon-level proficiency, door gunnery, personnel recovery, downed aircraft recovery and basic Soldier skills from June 2-16, 2018, at sites including Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Pickett and the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia. ... MORE

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

MEDEVAC Soldiers prepare for Kosovo deployment
February 2, 2018 — “Superb.” That was Sgt. Ashley Camper’s response when prompted to explain the quality of training she is receiving during her mobilization training at Fort Hood, Texas. Camper is one of 26 Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Chesterfield-based Detachment 2, Company C, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment who are deploying for nine months as part of Kosovo Force 24, the 24th rotation of U.S. Soldiers to support the multinational peacekeeping mission in Kosovo... MORE

MEDEVAC Soldiers depart Virginia in advance of Kosovo deployment
January 8, 2018 — After more than a year of training, approximately 25 Soldiers assigned to Detachment 2, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment said goodbye to the Commonwealth of Virginia and officially began their federal mobilization that will take them to Kosovo in the coming weeks. The Soldiers in the unit gathered along with family members, friends and fellow Soldiers for a departure ceremony Jan. 4, 2018, at the Chesterfield County Airport and then departed in small groups in the days that followed, with the largest group leaving Jan. 5 on four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters... MORE

Va. National Guard helicopters support Hurricane Harvey recovery
September 7, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard sent approximately 40 Soldiers and six helicopters to Texas to assist with Hurricane Harvey recovery operations Aug. 31, 2017, and after transporting medical personnel and supplies, they safely returned to Virginia Sept. 6. With the Texas National Guard shifting operations from search and rescue to critical life support and logistics support, the helicopters and crews were able to return to Virginia to be ready for possible impacts from Hurricane Irma. Three rescue technicians from the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Service Scuba Rescue Team also deployed with the Guard... MORE

Son of fallen Va. National Guard officer enlists on parent’s 20th anniversary
July 30, 2017 — Twenty years after his parents got married and 10 years after losing his father in an Iraq helicopter shoot down, Pvt. Paul David Kelly, 19, raised his right hand and enlisted into the Virginia National Guard July 26, 2017. Col. James Ring, chief of staff for the Virginia National Guard, administered Kelly’s oath in front of his mother, his grandmother, younger brother, a few friends and his recruiters... MORE

Aviation troops recognized for overseas service
July 20, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to two Sandston-based aviation units received the Governor’s National Service Medal July 16, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. The medal, created in 2005 by then-Governor Mark R. Warner, recognizes the men and women of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard who have served on federal active duty since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Approximately 40 Soldiers each assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment and Detachment 2, Company B, 777th Aviation Support Battalion were recognized for their recently-completed deployment where they provided rotary wing aviation and aviation maintenance in the U.S. Army Central area of operations from June 2016 to the spring of 2017... MORE

Va. Guard aviation battalion trains at Fort A.P. Hill
June 18, 2017 — For the first two weeks of June 2017, Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment came together at Fort A.P. Hill for annual training. There, the Soldiers focused on improving individual and unit readiness with events including a personnel recovery exercise and machine gun familiarization classes and live fires, and also provided integral air support to a multi-day mortar raid in conjunction with Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team... MORE

Sandston-based aviation units return to Va. from federal duty
May 4, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers serving in two Sandston-based aviation units returned to Virginia in late April and early May 2017 after serving on federal active duty since June 2016. Approximately 40 Soldiers each assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, and Detachment 2, Company B, 777th Aviation Support Battalion provided rotary wing aviation and aviation maintenance support to the U. S. Central Command area of operations. Soldiers returned to Virginia in small groups to airports closest to their home of record to reunite with their families and loved ones. A more formal recognition for the units will take place in the coming months... MORE

Aviation crew supports Fort Lee Sling Load Inspector Course
February 5, 2017 — A Virginia National Guard aviation crew assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment conducted sling load operations in support of the Fort Lee-based Sling Load Inspector Course Feb. 3, 2017, at Fort Lee, Virginia. The air crew of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter demonstrated its sling load capability in conjunction with the multi-branch class of Sling Load Inspector students by transporting a Humvee and a heavily loaded metallic container on multiple flight patterns in the training area... MORE

Va. Army and Air Guard chaplains support inauguration troops
January 22, 2017 — Virginia Army and Air National Guard chaplain teams provided support to troops during the 58th Presidential Inauguration January 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. The teams were assigned to a task force that included service members from all over the U. S. and U.S. territories, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico... MORE

Va. Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team trains in Pulaski County
August 14, 2016 — Virginia National Guard aviation crews and Chesterfield County first responders conducted aviation rescue hoist training during the Max Creek Search and Rescue Exercise Aug. 13, 2016, in Pulaski County, Virginia. Soldiers assigned to the Chesterfield-based Detachment 1, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment and Detachment 2, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment along with members of Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Service Scuba Rescue Team work together as the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team to provide trained and ready personnel capable of conducting synchronized aerial reconnaissance and rescue evacuation in situations where there is potential loss of life, limb or eyesight or significant property damage. The event was the latest in a series of exercises that are part of an ongoing training partnership between Virginia National Guard and Chesterfield County Fire & EMS... MORE

Departure ceremony sends off Sandston-based aviation units
May 28, 2016 — A departure ceremony for two Virginia National Guard Sandston-based aviation units held May 27, 2016, marked the start of their federal active duty mission. Senior leaders from state government and the Virginia National Guard joined family members, friends and fellow Soldiers in bidding farewell to the Soldiers. Approximately 40 Soldiers each assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, and Detachment 2, Company B, 777th Aviation Support Battalion, are scheduled to begin serving on federal active duty in early June 2016. The units will be based in Kuwait and provide rotary wing aviation and aviation maintenance support to the U. S. Central Command area of operations. ... MORE

NGB Senior Enlisted Advisor visits Va. Guard Airmen, Soldiers, leaders
March 24, 2016 — Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell O. Brush, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard, visited Virginia National Guard Airmen and Soldiers March 8-9, 2016, in Sandston, Richmond and Hampton, Virginia... MORE

NGB Senior Enlisted Advisor visits with Virginia Guard Airmen, Soldiers

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