Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen deployed to Texas for 30 days as Task Force Cardinal receive awards recognizing their support for Operation Lone Star during a ceremony Aug. 3, 2023, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, and Maj. Sidney Leslie, task force commander, presented the awards. While in Texas, the troopers staffed observation posts and conducted roving patrols along the border between Texas and Mexico to observe and detect potential illegal border crossings and criminal activities and reported to Texas law enforcement authorities. Approximately 100 task force personnel all received the Virginia National Guard Homeland Defense Ribbon, and 21 of those Soldiers and Airmen also received the Virginia National Guard Commendation Medal. Hubbard also presented three task force leaders with the Virginia National Guard Bronze Star Medal.