Virginia National Guard

29th ID participates in Finland's Exercise Karelian Sword
July 1, 2025 — Approximately 20 Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division participated in exercise Karelian Sword, a large-scale, multi-national military exercise, May 23 - 30, 2025, in the Kymenlaakso region of Finland. ... MORE

29th ID participates in Karelian Sword exercise in Finland

VNG conducts military decision making process exchange in Tajikistan
June 24, 2025 — Five Virginia National Guard members conducted a staff officer exchange with members of the Tajikistan Armed Forces June 9 - 13, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been formal partners since 2003... MORE

Bilateral affairs officers serve as vital connection between VNG, SPP partners
June 2, 2025 — As part of the National Guard State Partnership Program, Virginia is paired with both Finland and Tajikistan to engage in a wide array of military activities, ranging from joint training exercises and subject matter expert exchanges to disaster response and humanitarian aid initiatives. Key components of these SPP relationships are the work and dedication of bilateral affairs officers — Virginia National Guard officers who live in Finland and Tajikistan and manage defense and security cooperation between Virginia and the officers’ host countries... MORE

Bilateral affairs officers serve as a vital connection between VNG, SPP partners

VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare exchange in Tajikistan
May 5, 2025 — Three Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a mountain warfare exchange with members of the Tajik military April 21 - 25, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been formal partners since 2003... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conduct mountain warfare exchange in Tajikistan

VNG Soldiers conduct close-quarters battle exchange in Tajikistan
April 22, 2025 — Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a close-quarters battle exchange with members of the Tajik military April 7 - 11, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan... MORE

Finnish Air Force commander tours 192nd Wing, meets VNG leaders
April 14, 2025 — Finnish Maj. Gen. Timo Herranen, commander of the Finnish Air Force, met with Virginia National Guard leaders April 7, 2025, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The visit was part of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which established a partnership between Virginia and Finland in May 2024... MORE

Finnish Air Force commander tours 192nd Wing, meets Virginia National Guard leaders

237th Engineers train with Finnish counterparts during Arctic Forge 25
March 10, 2025 — A platoon of Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the West Point-based 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group recently took part in a cold-weather training exercise with the Finnish Defense Force, marking a milestone in the VNG's partnership with Finland... MORE

VNG Combat Engineers train with Finnish counterparts during Arctic Forge 25

VNG, Finland participate in Arctic Interest Council conference
March 7, 2025 — The Virginia National Guard Management Group, in coordination with the Virginia National Guard, hosted the National Guard Arctic Interest Council annual conference Feb. 11 - 12, 2025, in Springfield, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG conducts officer and NCO development exchange in Tajikistan
February 25, 2025 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted an exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan focusing on noncommissioned officer and junior officer development Feb. 17-21, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan... MORE

29th ID Soldiers conduct UAS exchange in Tajikistan
January 21, 2025 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division conducted an unmanned air systems exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan Jan. 13-17, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan... MORE

Red Dragons conduct infantry exchange in Finland
January 9, 2025 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted an infantry exchange with Finnish Defense Forces Nov. 16 - 24, 2024, in Finland. ... MORE

VNG leaders observe defense exercise in Finland
October 15, 2024 — Virginia National Guard senior leaders and Soldiers traveled to Finland to observe Exercise Karelian Stronghold alongside key senior leaders within the Finnish Defense Forces Sept. 1 - 7, 2024, at multiple locations in Finland. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard expands relationship with Finnish Army commander
October 14, 2024 — Virginia National Guard leadership hosted Lt. Gen. Pasi Välimäki, commander of the Finnish Army, during a bilateral engagement Oct 12, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The visit was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Finland became partners earlier in 2024... MORE

VNG senior enlisted leaders meet with Finnish counterparts
September 11, 2024 — Virginia National Guard senior enlisted leadership traveled to Finland Aug. 19- 23, 2024, to collaborate with members of the Finnish Defence Forces on a plan for joint enlisted training and exercise and development for 2025 to 2027... MORE

Unit certification a key accomplishment during Cyber Shield
July 1, 2024 — As National Guard and Reserve Soldiers and Airmen joined civilian cyber professionals and international partners for Cyber Shield 24 from May 31 to June 15, 2024, the Virginia National Guard’s 91st Cyber Brigade conducted CERTEX 24 to validate multiple units for future Title 10 active-duty federal mobilizations. Both exercises were hosted at the VNG’s State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for the first time... MORE

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