Virginia National Guard

Va. Guard troops compete for title as Virginia’s top Soldier, NCO
March 8, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from around the state participated in the 2017 Virginia Army National Guard Soldier and NCO of the Year Competition Feb. 24-26, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The three-day competition included the Army Physical Fitness Test, marksmanship, land navigation, Army Warrior Tasks and an appearance board... MORE

Infantry Soldiers train for Expert Infantry Badge testing
March 6, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to multiple units in the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted training on weapons, medical and patrol tasks that are required to earn the Expert Infantryman Badge March 4, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The purpose of the EIB is to recognize Infantrymen who have demonstrated a mastery of critical tasks that build the core foundation of individual proficiency that allow them to locate, close with and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver and repel an enemy assault through fire and close combat... MORE

Task Force Normandy Soldiers recognized for federal duty
September 19, 2016 — Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran presented the Governor’s National Service Medal to Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Sept. 17, 2016, in Richmond, Virginia, in recognition of their federal active duty service from September 2015 to July 2016. Senior Virginia National Guard leaders from the state level as well as the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were on hand to formally welcome the Soldiers home and thank them for their service... MORE

Task Force Normandy Soldiers return to Virginia after federal active duty
July 27, 2016 — The last groups of Soldiers assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, also known as Task Force Normandy, returned to Virginia July 27, 2016, after serving on federal active duty since September 2015. More than 450 Soldiers from units based in Winchester, Woodstock, Leesburg and Suffolk provided security for installations in the U.S. Army’s Central Command area of operations in Qatar with just 90 days notice for the mission. The first groups of Soldiers returned to Virginia July 19... MORE

Red Dragons take over security mission in Qatar
July 13, 2016 — Two Virginia Army National Guard units charged with the responsibility for security at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, conducted a Relief In Place/Transfer of Authority ceremony July 11, 2016. Soldiers from the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, also known as the Red Dragons, assumed responsibility for the mission from the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, also known as Task Force Normandy... MORE

116th IBCT senior leaders visit Task Force Normandy
January 30, 2016 — Senior leaders of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team visited Virginia National Guard Soldiers serving on federal active duty with the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in late January 2016 in Qatar. The battalion, also known as Task Force Normandy, began their mission of conducting security operations in November 2015... MORE

116th IBCT Soldier earns top spot at Region II Best Warrior Competition
June 1, 2015 — Spc. Adam Sotelo of the Virginia National Guard was named Soldier of the Year at the Region II Best Warrior Competition May 31, 2015, after a three-day competition at Fort Pickett. Va. He is an infantryman from Arlington and assigned to the Winchester-based Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and is currently enrolled in the police academy with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C... MORE

Spc. Adam Sotelo, of the Virginia National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, is announced as the winner of 2015 Region II Best Warrior Competition May 31, 2015, at Fort Pickett, Va. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs)

116th IBCT Soldier, NCO earn top honors at Va. Guard Best Warrior competition
March 30, 2015 — Spc. Adam Sotelo was named the 2014 Virginia National Guard Soldier of the Year, and Sgt. John Fracker was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year March 29, 2015, at Fort Pickett, Va. Sotelo, an Arlington resident assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Fracker, who resides in Boones Mill and is assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th IBCT, earned the honors after competing in the two-day Best Warrior Competition at Fort Pickett... MORE

Virginia Guard Soldier to serve as bobsled coach in 2014 Olympics
January 29, 2014 — First Lt. Michael Kohn, a Virginia National Guard Soldier assigned to the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, is among nine Soldiers in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program named as members of the U.S. Olympic Team who will compete at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, scheduled for Feb. 7 through 24 in Sochi, Russia... MORE

Freedom Salutes honor Soldiers of 3rd Bn., 116th BCT
August 27, 2008 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers from Charlottesville, Woodstock, Leesburg, Fredericksburg, and Winchester gathered in multiple locations Aug. 16 and 17, 2008, to conduct Freedom Salute ceremonies to honor the service of 3rd Battalion, 116th Brigade Combat Team during its successful mission in Iraq and Kuwait from September 2007 to April and May 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom... MORE

Infantry soldiers ordered to active duty
February 24, 2004 — Maj. Gen. Claude Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, announced that approximately 570 soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry will enter active federal service at their home armories on March 1st, 2004... MORE

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