Virginia National Guard > News - Category Virginia Defense Force

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

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

Virginia National Guard assisting law enforcement
June 5, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are providing direct support to state and local law enforcement to help keep their fellow Virginians safe after Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency May 31, 2020, in response to escalating violence across the Commonwealth. “It is difficult to… ... MORE

VDF Communication Battalion holds virtual change of command ceremony
May 8, 2020 — LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Virginia Defense Force held a virtual change of command ceremony for the Lynchburg-based Communication Battalion, Support Operations Group May 1, 2020. Due to the restrictions of the current pandemic, the battalion could not assemble in person, so participants from across the state utilized a collaborative virtual… ... MORE

News Release: VA. National Guard continues to assist statewide COVID-19 response
April 29, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has more than 530 personnel actively working or ready to support the Commonwealth of Virginia’s COVID-19 response as of April 29, 2020. VNG Soldiers, Airmen, and members of the Virginia Defense Force are supporting planning teams and assisting with logistics support in multiple… ... MORE

VNG continues COVID-19 to assist statewide COVID-19 response
April 23, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has more than 500 personnel actively working or ready to support the Commonwealth of Virginia’s COVID-19 response as of April 27, 2020. VNG Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force are supporting planning teams and assisting with logistics support in multiple… ... MORE

VNG continues to assist statewide COVID-19 response

Va. Defense Forces assisting with COVID-19 response
April 7, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Nearly 20 members of the Virginia Defense Force are serving on state active duty in direct support of the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Emergency Support Team as of April 7, 2020, assisting the state’s COVID-19 response. VDF personnel are assisting with mission tracking, planning, and public… ... MORE

Va. Defense Force assisting with COVID-19 response

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