Virginia National Guard

229th BEB Soldier wraps up eventful summer after Air Race Classic triumph
October 21, 2024 — Spc. Ashley Asselin’s journey into the world of aviation took off during her high school JROTC experience. Since then, she’s earned her pilot’s license, joined the Virginia Army National Guard as a 15E Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer, finished her undergraduate degree at Liberty University and joined the full-time staff there as a flight instructor. This summer, she soared to new heights by finishing in the top five of her division in the renowned all-women’s Air Race Classic... MORE

Spc. Ashley Asselin, at left, competes in the 2024 Women's Air Race Classic June 18-21, 2024, with her teammates from Liberty University. (Courtesy photo)

116th IBCT provides OPFOR support for JRTC rotation
August 30, 2024 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided opposing force support during Joint Readiness Training Center rotation 24-09 July 8 - Aug. 3, 2024, at Fort Johnson, Louisiana. ... MORE

116th IBCT Soldiers provide opposing force at JRTC

229th BEB Soldier earns Expert Soldier Badge
April 9, 2024 — Maj. Josh Favaro, executive officer of the Virginia National Guard’s Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineering Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team earned the Expert Soldier Badge March 15, 2024, at Fort Walker, Virginia. In doing so, Favaro became the first Soldier to earn the ESB while assigned to the Virginia National Guard... MORE

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

229th BEB leaders observe defense exercise in Finland
September 27, 2023 — Key leaders of the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and other Virginia National Guard personnel traveled to Finland to observe a Local Defense Exercise, or PAPU, Sept. 4-9, 2023... MORE

Endurance Soldiers earn German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge
September 1, 2023 — More than 70 Soldiers assigned to the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge after three days of competition during their drill weekend Aug. 18-20, 2023, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. ... MORE

Engineers begin construction of new demo range at Fort Barfoot
June 22, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to engineer units from across the state had the unique opportunity to work together to begin construction on a new light demolition range during annual training June 3-17, 2023, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia... MORE

229th BEB leaders share Guard experiences with high school students
April 6, 2023 — Leaders from the Virginia National Guard’s Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team partnered with the Virginia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion to highlight the benefits of National Guard membership during showcase events April 3 and 5, 2023, at Courtland High School and Colonial Forge High School. The event generated three leads for individuals interested in joining the VNG... MORE

UAS detachment recognized in Fort Pickett ceremony
January 25, 2023 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Blackstone-based Detachment 1, Delta Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team received the Virginia Governor’s National Service Medal during a ceremony Jan. 21, 2023, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger was on hand to congratulate the Soldiers, thank them for their service and welcome them home alongside Lt. Col. Robert P. “Beau” Mason, commander of the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion... MORE

Spanberger helps recognize Soldiers at Fort Pickett

VNG celebrates 18 new OCS graduates
October 14, 2022 — The Virginia Army National Guard welcomed 18 officer candidates from Officer Candidate School classes 64, 65A and 65B during a ceremony held Sept. 18, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Eighteen officer candidates enrolled in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School traditional and accelerated program celebrate their OCS graduation Sept. 18, 2022 at a ceremony held at Fort Pickett’s 183rdRegiment, Regional Training Institute in front of family, friends, fellow Soldiers and leaders. The graduation included candidates from OCS Class 64, as well as 65A and 65B. Retired Col. Fred Bolton served as the guest speaker for the event and Lt. Col. Eric Quinn administered the oath of office to the new lieutenants. The Troutville-based 29th Division Band provided ceremonial music for the occasion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

VNG engineers, medics conduct exchanges in Tajikistan
August 9, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers recently completed a counter-improvised explosive devices exchange and a medical infantry tactics exchange with soldiers and representatives from the Republic of Tajikistan in June and July 2022. ... MORE

VNG couple talks LGBTQ+ Pride, inclusivity & community
June 21, 2022 — For Sgt. Phillicia Lewis and Spc. Dejia Joyner, both serving in the Virginia Army National Guard, LGBTQ+ Pride Month is all about their community. Each year, they said, that community grows and with it, acceptance and inclusion. ... MORE

Sgt. Phillicia Lewis (right) and Spc. Dejia Joyner (left)

229th BEB, RRB Soldiers represent VNG at Region II Best Warrior
June 1, 2022 — Two Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers competed for the titles of Soldier of the Year and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year during the Region II Best Warrior Competition May 17 - 20, 2022, at Camp Dawson, West Virginia. ... MORE

VNG Soldiers compete for Regional Best Warrior title

229th BEB, RRB Soldiers capture 2022 VNG Best Warrior titles
April 6, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion and the Recruiting and Retention Battalion claimed top honors at the 2022 Virginia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition April 3, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

229th BEB NCO felt destined for military service
March 5, 2021 — FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – As a kid, Sgt. Cassandra Lyons grew up playing with G.I Joes, so it wasn’t that surprising when she joined the Virginia National Guard her junior year of high school. “I felt almost destined to be in the military,” she explained. “I had an interest in the comradery the organization provides.”... MORE

, Sgt. Cassandra Lyons, the supply sergeant for Alpha Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, poses in her office March 2, 2021, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Holden Russell)

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