Virginia National Guard

Son of fallen Va. National Guard officer enlists on parent’s 20th anniversary
July 30, 2017 — Twenty years after his parents got married and 10 years after losing his father in an Iraq helicopter shoot down, Pvt. Paul David Kelly, 19, raised his right hand and enlisted into the Virginia National Guard July 26, 2017. Col. James Ring, chief of staff for the Virginia National Guard, administered Kelly’s oath in front of his mother, his grandmother, younger brother, a few friends and his recruiters... MORE

29th ID Soldiers return from federal duty in Kuwait
July 25, 2017 — FORT BELVOIR, Va. — One of the final groups of Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned to Virginia July 25, 2017, after serving on federal active duty since November 2016. The Soldiers served in the Middle East in support of Task Force Spartan Shield as the first intermediate division headquarters under U.S. Army Central Command. Senior leaders from state government and the Maryland and Virginia National Guard greeted Soldiers when they arrived at Dulles Airport, then the Soldiers reunited with family, friends and fellow Soldiers in Maryland and Virginia. A small number of Soldiers remain at their demobilization station in Texas to finalize their transition from federal active duty to traditional Guard status... MORE

One of the final groups of Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returns to Virginia July 25, 2017, after serving on federal active duty since November 2016.

Va. Guard transporters gain real world experience on cargo operations
July 25, 2017 — Three Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 1173rd Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group spent their two weeks of annual training July 8-21, 2017, working at the Navy Operated Air Mobility Command Air Terminal in Norfolk, Virginia, where they gained real-world experience on cargo operations in a joint environment. Each year the “Patriot Partners” exercise brings reserve component personnel to the terminal to augment the existing staff and simulate running the operation in the second week... MORE

276th Engineers balance project work, field training during annual training
July 22, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Petersburg-based 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group used their two weeks of annual training from July 8-22, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia, to improve range roads, train on mission essential tasks in a field environment and better prepare the battalion staff in the military decision making process... MORE

Agreement with NC Guard brings new jobs to MATES, more training to Fort Pickett
July 21, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the North Carolina National Guard to join the West Virginia and Pennsylvania National Guard as external customers storing equipment at the Fort Pickett Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site according to an announcement made June 21, 2017, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. MATES personnel maintain the equipment and make sure it is fully mission capable for Soldiers from the respective states to use for training. The new agreement adds a company of M1 main battle tanks and will bring an additional five full-time jobs to the MATES and additional training personnel to Fort Pickett... MORE

Aviation troops recognized for overseas service
July 20, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to two Sandston-based aviation units received the Governor’s National Service Medal July 16, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. The medal, created in 2005 by then-Governor Mark R. Warner, recognizes the men and women of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard who have served on federal active duty since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Approximately 40 Soldiers each assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment and Detachment 2, Company B, 777th Aviation Support Battalion were recognized for their recently-completed deployment where they provided rotary wing aviation and aviation maintenance in the U.S. Army Central area of operations from June 2016 to the spring of 2017... MORE

Virginia Guard honors volunteers at Volunteer Recognition Workshop
July 12, 2017 — Virginia National Guard senior leaders recognized volunteers from around the state for their contributions in supporting the Virginia National Guard at the 9th Annual State Volunteer Training and Recognition Workshop and Youth Symposium June 24, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia... MORE

192nd Intel Squadron welcomes new commander
July 11, 2017 — Lt. Col. Chris Batterton assumed command of the 192nd Fighter Wing Intelligence Squadron from Lt. Col. David Lands during a ceremony held June 25, 2016, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia... MORE

Frodsham assumes command of the 192nd Maintenance Squadron
July 11, 2017 — Lt. Col. Steven A. Frodsham took command of the 192nd Maintenance Squadron during a ceremony held May 21, 2017, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. An assumption of command ceremony is a military tradition that represents the new commander formally stepping into the role as the commanding officer of a unit or squadron... MORE

First groups of 29th ID Soldiers return from federal duty in Kuwait
July 10, 2017 — The first groups of Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned to Virginia July 10, 2017, after serving on federal active duty since November 2016. The Soldiers served in the Middle East in support of Task Force Spartan Shield as the first intermediate division headquarters under U.S. Army Central Command... MORE

More than 100 29th ID Soldiers return to USA from federal duty in Jordan
July 9, 2017 — More than 100 Maryland and Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned stateside July 9, 2017, after serving on federal active duty in Jordan since September 2016. The Soldiers arrived at their demobilization station in Texas where they will spend approximately seven to 10 days for reintegration training, medical evaluation and administrative tasks to transition from federal active duty to traditional National Guard status... MORE

Virginia Defense Force evaluates communication platforms
July 8, 2017 — The Virginia Defense Force conducted an operational readiness evaluation on the Mobile Communication Platforms it would use during emergency response operations in support of the Virginia National Guard July 8, 2017, in Lynchburg, Virginia. VDF teams were evaluated on their ability to move MCPs from their home station to a duty location, put them into operation and make contact using voice and data with a remote location. MCPs stationed in Bedford, Lynchburg, Pulaski and Richmond took part in the evaluation and established voice and data connections with the Virginia National Guard’s Joint Operations Center in Sandston, Virginia... MORE

29th Infantry Division to transfer mission to 35th Infantry Division
July 7, 2017 — CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 29th Infantry Division will hand over control of Operation Spartan Shield to the 35th Infantry Division in a transfer of authority ceremony July 13, 2017, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The two divisions have been paired together several times throughout their storied histories. Both units celebrate their 100th anniversaries this year, and the TOA ceremony will mark another historic milestone where the two divisions have crossed paths... MORE

Fort Pickett celebrates 75th birthday
July 5, 2017 — Lt. Col. Preston Scott, Fort Pickett garrison commander, cut a cake July 5, 2017, to celebrate Fort Pickett’s 75th birthday. Originally named Camp Pickett, it was officially dedicated July 3, 1942, with 46,000 acres and the mission of training troops after the United States’ entry into World War II... MORE

34th CST conducts FTX in Texas, trains on air load plans
July 1, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team conducted a multi-day training exercise to simulate a response to hazardous materials incident June 22-28, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. Observer controller/trainers from U.S. Army North’s Civil Support Readiness Group-East/West were on hand to assist with the creation of a realistic scenario and provide feedback to help the 34th CST maintain a high state of readiness for their mission of providing support to first responders in potential biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological and explosive incidents... MORE

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