Virginia National Guard

116th IBCT leads task force of 12 states at PI59
January 27, 2021 — WASHINGTON, DC — The Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team took a lead role in the security of the 59th Presidential Inauguration, commanding a task force of more than 7,400 Soldiers and Airmen from 12 different states. The coalition, named Team Capitol, was responsible for maintaining the physical security of the Capitol grounds. On inauguration day, the 116th headquarters served as the operations center to coordinate thousands of Guardsmen lining fences with shields, body armor and rifles... MORE

429th BSB Soldier stand guard in Washington, D.C.

Task Forces provides critical assistance to Virginia's COVID-19 response
July 15, 2020 — PETERSBURG, Va. — After months of hard work and unprecedented challenges, one element of the Virginia National Guard’s support to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is drawing to a close. While COVID-19 sample collections and mask fit testing continue, the task force dedicated to logistics and… ... MORE

Task Force provides critical assistance to Virginia’s COVID-19 response

Virginia Army National Guard command selections announced
June 22, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Selections for Virginia Army National Guard brigade and battalion commands were made June 19, 2020, by the Adjutant General of Virginia, and June 18 with the release of the results of the annual VaARNG Field Grade Assignment Board. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of… ... MORE

229th BEB supports operations at Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
June 2, 2020 — FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are lending a hand to help feed citizens in need by supporting the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank as part of COVID-19 response operations. A team of about 35 Soldiers... ... MORE

VNG continues to support state COVID-19 response
May 21, 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 May 21, 2020. VNG Soldiers, Airmen, and members of the Virginia Defense Force are conducting numerous missions including sample collection for COVID-19 testing, N95 […] ... MORE

VNG rangers test their limits at Best Ranger Competition
May 1, 2019 — RICHMOND, Va. — Fifty-three two-man teams started the Best Ranger Competition early on the morning of April 12, 2019, at Fort Benning, Georgia. Among the rangers to run across the start line were six National Guard Soldiers, three from Virginia, two from Massachusetts and one from Kentucky. The Virginia and Kentucky Soldiers are all assigned to Virginia’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team... MORE

VNG leaders tackle ACFT challenge
April 17, 2019 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — More than 20 leaders from the Virginia Army National Guard accepted the challenge offered by Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Smith, the Virginia Army National Guard’s state command sergeant major, to take the new Army Combat Fitness Test April 6, 2019, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The ACFT will become the U.S. Army’s official physical fitness test of record in less than two years and the event gave leaders a chance to experience it first-hand... MORE

VNG Soldier competes in World Military Taekwondo Championship
January 4, 2019 — RIO DE JANEIRO — A Virginia National Guard Soldier assigned to the Manassas-based Delta Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team competed in the World Military Taekwondo Championships Nov. 27 – Dec. 3, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro... MORE

Unit, family, friends gather to remember fallen VNG Soldiers 14 years later
December 22, 2018 — Two Virginia National Guard Soldiers killed Dec. 21, 2004, in a suicide bombing in Mosul, Iraq, were remembered by fellow Soldiers, family and friends with a wreath laying Dec. 21, 2018, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia... MORE

116th IBCT conducts EIB testing, focuses on individual skills
August 15, 2017 — After a week of hands-on training, 254 Soldiers began testing for the Expert Infantryman Badge Aug. 6, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. EIB testing was hosted by the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and was a key event in the brigade’s two-week annual training, held July 29 – Aug. 12, 2017... MORE

229th BEB Soldiers compete in Sapper Stakes
August 9, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team assembled Sapper Fire Teams and competed against each other during a rigorous 72-hour Sapper Stakes competition, held Aug. 6-9, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The competition was held during the unit’s two-week annual training... MORE

Va. Guard team among finishers at Best Sapper Competition
May 10, 2017 — Since January, two Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Sgt. Nicholas Shidlovsky and 2nd Lt. Gregory Gerlach, have worked together nearly every day to train for the Best Sapper Competition, held at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, April 23-28, 2017. Going in, the two were confident, ready and exceptionally motivated. At the competition, they survived the grueling match that pushed them through lakes, over mountains, out of helicopters and over countless obstacles to become one of just 20 teams to finish a competition that 48 teams started... MORE

Engineers train on new route clearance vehicles
February 21, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Fredericksburg-based 229th Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team completed two weeks of training on route clearance operations in the Husky Mounted Detection System and the Buffalo Armored Vehicle Feb. 17, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The route clearance platoon has been immersed in assembly, maintenance and operation of the new vehicles since February 4, 2017... MORE

Virginia Guard supports 58th Presidential Inauguration
January 22, 2017 — Nearly 300 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined a force of approximately 7,500 National Guard personnel from across the country supporting the 58th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D. C. Virginia Guard personnel assisted with traffic control as well as communications, medical and chaplain support, and also provided liaison officers to key military and civilian command headquarters in the area. Additional personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force conducted mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state and additional troops were on standby... MORE

Fredericksburg Guard battalion returns to engineer roots
October 16, 2016 — The Virginia National Guard’s Fredericksburg-based 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion returned to its engineer roots with a ceremony to mark its transformation to the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion Oct. 15, 2016, at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia. The transformation is part of the U. S. Army’s reorganization of brigade combat teams to provide more engineer capabilities... MORE

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