Virginia National Guard

111th FA Soldier among VNG's World War II missing in action
July 7, 2025 — Henrico County resident Tech. Sgt. Joshua B. Swanner, originally part of the 111th Field Artillery, was shot down in a B-24 over Indonesian waters in May 1944 during Woirld War II... MORE

VNG’s World War II MIA includes sergeant serving with Air Corps

Fallen VNG Soldier receives new recognition 86 years later
August 8, 2024 — On the 86th anniversary of his passing, a former Virginia National Guard Soldier’s grave received a plaque commemorating his service and sacrifice thanks to the efforts of the Virginia National Guard’s Enlisted Association and Historical Foundation during a ceremony Aug. 3, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

From ambulances to artillery: one NCO’s pursuit of military & medical dreams
April 15, 2024 — As a young adult, Sgt. Stella Escano knew she wanted to attend medical school. She also knew she wanted to eventually serve in the military, but wanted to get her education locked in first. Growing up in and around Norfolk, Virginia, an area with a dense military presence, Escano was quite familiar with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, but neither of those options felt like the right choice for her. So, she went online and did some research... MORE

Sgt. Stella Escano takes a written exam alongside her fellow competitors at the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s Best Warrior Competition held Jan. 5-7, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. (Courtesy photo)

Field artillery NCO reflects on quick-paced military journey
February 6, 2024 — For Sgt. Christopher Brown, the best part about serving in the field artillery is the camaraderie he’s found there. He serves in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Hanover, Virginia, as a 13B Cannon Crewmember. He’s been in the military for about half a decade, but has already experienced a handful of schools and both an overseas and stateside deployment... MORE

A Soldier poses in front of a field artillery sign.

116th Infantry Regiment holds 55th Annual Muster on Veterans Day
November 29, 2023 — Veterans of the 116th Infantry Regiment and Soldiers of the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team gathered to honor the unit’s history and enjoy an evening of camaraderie at the 55th annual 116th Infantry Regiment Muster Nov. 11, 2023, in Staunton, Virginia. Congressman Ben Cline and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, both delivered remarks and Col. Jared Lake, commander of the 116th IBCT, provided an update on the brigade’s activities over the last year. ... MORE

Ring takes command of VNG as Adjutant General of Virginia
June 8, 2023 — Brig. Gen. James W. Ring took command of the Virginia National Guard as the Adjutant General of Virginia from Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams and was promoted to major general during a ceremony June 3, 2023, at the VNG Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia... MORE

Thunder Soldiers honored for federal service
March 2, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, received the Governor’s National Service Medal Feb. 25, 2023, in Hanover, Hampton and Norfolk, Virginia, to recognize their recent federal service in Iraq... MORE

Governor commends VNG, families after year busy with mobilizations
December 7, 2022 — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and the First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin hosted a reception for Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and their families Dec. 4, 2022, at Virginia’s Executive Mansion in Richmond, Virginia, to recognize the families of those personnel who are currently on federal active duty deployments. ... MORE

1-111th Field Artillery officially ends mission in Iraq
November 16, 2022 — Virginia and Ohio National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conducted a transfer of authority ceremony Nov. 12, 2022, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, to officially end their short-range air defense mission for Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve... MORE

Virginia National Guard installation, brigade and battalion command selections announced
September 28, 2022 — The Adjutant General of Virginia announced officers who have been selected for command in the Virginia National Guard at the instillation, brigade and battalion level... MORE

VNG’s first Filipino battery commander continues family military legacy
May 26, 2022 — Capt. Samuel Ignacio is the first Filipino American to serve as a battery commander in the Virginia National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He started his career in 2005 as an enlisted Soldier, serving for seven years as a 42A Human Resources Specialist before earning his commission. ... MORE

Virginia artillery battalion takes responsibility for air defense mission in Iraq
March 16, 2022 — The VNG's Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team took responsibility for the U.S. Central Command Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar Intercept Land-based Phalanx Weapon System mission during a transfer of authority ceremony March 13, 2022, at Al Udeid Air Force Base in Doha, Qatar... MORE

$20K bonus available for field artillery enlistments
February 8, 2022 — As 2022 began, the Virginia Army National Guard put extra emphasis into recruiting 13B Cannon Crewmembers offering a $20,000 sign-on bonus for those who enlist for six years. Currently, the hefty $20,000 bonus is only available for the 13B military occupational specialty, or MOS... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Hanover-based Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team fire a ceremonial 19-gun salute with M119A3 105mm howitzers at the inauguration of Dr. Ralph Northam as the 73rd Governor of Virginia Jan. 13, 2018, in Richmond, Virginia. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bryan Myhr)

VNG supports the Inauguration of the 74th Governor of Virginia
January 26, 2022 — More than 200 Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel were on duty Jan. 15, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia, supporting the inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as the 74th Governor of Virginia... MORE

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

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