Virginia National Guard

Virginia National Guard to provide support for Governor’s Inauguration
January 10, 2022 — More than 200 Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel will be on duty Jan. 15, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia, supporting the inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as the 74th Governor of Virginia... MORE

Va. National Guard task force begins federal active duty for security mission in Africa
November 27, 2021 — State and federal elected officials and senior military leaders joined families, friends and fellow Soldiers to mark the official start of federal active duty for more than 1,000 Virginia and Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers Nov. 27, 2021, at departure ceremonies in Bedford, Virginia, and Lexington, Kentucky... MORE

Veterans Day observed across Virginia and overseas
November 17, 2021 — Virginia National Guard personnel honored the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces at ceremonies across Virginia as well as overseas Nov. 11, 2021, in honor of Veterans Day... MORE

Veterans honored at Va. War Memorial Ceremony

New VDF recruits graduate from Initial Entry Training, look forward to serving the commonwealth
November 3, 2021 — Ten new members of the Virginia Defense Force marked their completion of Initial Entry Training Sept. 11, 2021, in a graduation ceremony at the VDF Headquarters at Waller Depot in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

AG approves VDF force structure change
November 3, 2021 — The Virginia Defense Force will undergo a force structure change in the coming months to provide opportunities to grow capabilities to better support the Virginia National Guard and Commonwealth of Virginia... MORE

Virginia Defense Force conducts statewide readiness exercise
October 20, 2021 — Members of the Virginia Defense Force conducted the Highland Guardian 21 field training exercise Oct. 2, 2021, at multiple locations across Virginia to test their regional liaison, incident management assistance, access control and interoperable communications support capabilities... MORE

Governor's certificate recognizes VNG, VDF COVID-19 response support
October 15, 2021 — A Certificate of Recognition signed by Governor Ralph Northam recognizes the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force support to Virginia's COVID-19 response... MORE

VDF chaplains provide support at Fort Pickett chapel
September 28, 2021 — Virginia Defense Force chaplains volunteered their time to conduct Sunday services at the Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett Bulla Chapel throughout the Summer of 2021 in order to provide religious support to Soldiers conducting training on the installation. ... MORE

Online training provides valuable collaborative experience for VNG chaplains
July 14, 2021 — Religious support personnel from all components of the Virginia National Guard participated in a virtual training event June 5, 2021, designed to not only provide required training but also to increase communication and improve collaboration between the services. “It was a really good mix of Army, Air and Virginia Defense Force, as well as active duty,” said Capt. Will Cochrane, chaplain for the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group. “There was a great joint aspect with different elements represented. It was unique to be with them and collaborate. I honestly don’t remember a time when we’ve done that before. Everyone had a piece of the training.”... MORE

VDF Communication Battalion conducts readiness exercise
June 16, 2021 — The Virginia Defense Force Communication Battalion, Support Operations Group conducted an operational readiness exercise June 5, 2021, at multiple locations across Virginia to validate unit readiness in the event of activation in support of civil authorities... MORE

Virginia Defense Force personnel assigned to the Communication Battalion, Support Operations Group relay message traffic in a Mobile Communication Platform June 5, 2021, in Lynchburg, Virginia.

VDF conducts statewide response exercise
December 7, 2020 — LYNCHBURG, Va. — Members of the Virginia Defense Force conducted the Highland Guardian field training exercise Nov. 7, 2020, at multiple locations across Virginia to test their regional liaison, incident management assistance and interoperable communications support capabilities... MORE

Virginia Defense Force personnel assigned to the 1st Regiment and Support Operations Group take part in the Highland Guardian field training exercise Nov. 7, 2020, in Lynchburg, Virginia.

VDF welcomes new command sergeant major
November 10, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Command Sgt. Maj. (Va.) Tony Kegley took responsibility as the Virginia Defense Force command sergeant major from Command Sgt. Maj. (Va.) Alan Grandis Nov. 7, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Col. (Va.) David James, the VDF deputy commander, presided over the ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors representing the change of responsibility from Grandis to Kegley... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Kegley takes responsibility as the Virginia Defense Force command sergeant major from Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Grandis Nov. 7, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

VaARNG, VDF chaplains celebrate ongoing partnership
November 6, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Chaplains from the Virginia Army National Guard and Virginia Defense Force recognized the retirement of Lt. Col. (Va.) David C. Lagerveld, the VDF’s senior chaplain, and the ongoing partnership with VDF chaplains providing support at Fort Pickett during a lunch held in October in the Richmond area... MORE

Capt. (Va.) Deb O'Neil-Lewis, a chaplain with the Virginia Defense Force, leads a field service during the Summer 2020 annual training season at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

About the Virginia National Guard
July 1, 2020 — The Virginia National Guard is a unique dual-status force with a federal mission to provide a combat reserve for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to fight our nation’s wars and a state mission to provide a response force that answers the call of the Governor to defend the commonwealth. The VNG traces the history and tradition of Citizen-Soldier service to the founding of Jamestown in 1607, and there has been a military presence defending Virginia ever since... MORE

VDF assisting in statewide COVID-19 response effect
June 18, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Defense Force continues to augment the COVID-19 response efforts being carried out by the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Emergency Support Team. On a daily average 12 to 13 VDF personnel are on duty with about 35 total members mostly rotating in one or two-week… ... MORE

VDF assisting in statewide COVID-19 response effort

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