Virginia National Guard

1-111th completes transformation with howitzer live fire
August 30, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team live fired new M777A2 howitzers and upgraded M119A3 howitzers during their two weeks of annual training Aug. 17-31, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia, to complete their transformation into a composite field artillery battalion. As part of the battalion’s transformation, two firing batteries upgraded their howitzers to a newer model, and a third firing battery was activated to field a larger caliber howitzer... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe Class 47 graduates 116 cadets
August 28, 2017 — The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 116 cadets from Class 47 in a ceremony held Aug. 26, 2017, at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj . Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia; Brig. Gen. Paul F. Griffin, Director of the Joint Staff of the Virginia National Guard; and retired Navy Capt. Mark Chicoine, Director of the Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy, congratulated the cadets on finishing the five-and-a-half month residential portion of the program... MORE

Virginia Guard OCS commissions 29 new officers
August 28, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard welcomed 29 new second lieutenants from Officer Candidate School Classes 59 and 60B Aug. 26, 2017, at a commissioning ceremony held at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, administered the oath of office to the graduates, and Governor Terry McAuliffe and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran joined Williams in congratulating the new lieutenants in earning their commissions and thanking their families for their support. Brig. Gen. Lapthe Flora, Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives, offered advice to the new officers on how to succeed in their upcoming leadership positions... MORE

Street sign unveiled in honor of the 54th FA Brigade centennial
August 17, 2017 — Virginia Army National Guard leaders unveiled a new road sign honoring the 54th Field Artillery Brigade Aug. 12, 2017, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia, during the observation of the unit’s 100th anniversary... MORE

Historic multi-state National Guard federal active duty cyber missions begins
August 16, 2017 — National Guard cyber warriors from seven states officially began the largest reserve component federal active duty cyber mobilization in Department of Defense history with a transfer of authority ceremony Aug. 15, 2017, at Fort Meade, Maryland. With a significant troop contribution and leadership from the Virginia National Guard, more than 130 Soldiers from California, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Utah came together to form Task Force Echo and assumed the mission from the 169th Cyber Protection Team. The task force will operate under the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade while on federal active duty to engineer, install, operate and maintain critical networks for U.S. Cyber Command... 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

Va. Guard Soldiers support security operations in Charlottesville
August 14, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard rapidly responded when requested to assist local law enforcement and Virginia State Police with security operations Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville after Governor Terry McAuliffe made a state emergency declaration when violence escalated at a “Unite the Right” rally. Guard Soldiers were part of the multi-agency team assembled in advance of the rally, held in Emancipation Park, and helped law enforcement restore order after the gathering was determined to be an unlawful assembly. Later in the day, one person was killed in a car attack and two Virginia State Police troopers died when their helicopter crashed... MORE

Sustainment Rodeo shows off Soldier skills
August 14, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Danville-based 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team participated in vehicle obstacle courses, basic Soldier tasks and challenges during the Sustainment Rodeo, Aug. 6-10, 2017 at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Saber Soldiers demonstrate superior scouting skills during annual training
August 12, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team competed against each other in a multi-day training and testing event Aug. 6-9, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Command post exercise tests 529th CSSB’s readiness
August 11, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, conducted a Command Post Exercise – Function, or CPX-F, Aug. 4-9, 2017, during annual training at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The exercise assessed the unit’s ability to plan sustainment support in a simulated forward-deployed expeditionary environment... MORE

Flora thanks Vietnam Veterans at bridge naming ceremony
August 10, 2017 — Brig. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives, expressed his appreciation for the service of Vietnam Veterans as the keynote speaker at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge naming ceremony Aug. 3, 2017, in Radford, Virginia. He also assisted members of the General William Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Delegate Nick Rush in unveiling the new sign for the bridge... MORE

Va. Guard briefs Hampton Roads emergency managers on response capabilities
August 10, 2017 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provided an overview of the emergency response planning process and static displays of Guard capabilities for the Hampton Roads Emergency Management Committee meeting Aug. 8, 2017, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The working group meeting provided an opportunity to exchange information regarding responsibilities in emergency management with more than 50 members of the HREMC which includes multiple groups from various organizations including local governments, health departments, private companies and the military. The committee meets monthly at various locations throughout the region and promotes the inter-jurisdictional and inter-agency coordination of emergency management issues and fosters emergency preparedness... 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

CERFP Soldiers train on search & extraction in West Virginia
August 9, 2017 — More than 50 Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, traveled to Camp Dawson, near Kingwood, West Virginia, for the Search and Extraction Basic Course, held July 28 – Aug. 4, 2017. During the seven-day course, Soldiers trained on breaching and breaking, lifting and hauling, ropes, confined space entry and shoring... MORE

Soldiers of Charlie Med compete in Best Medic Competition
August 8, 2017 — In the infantry, obtaining the Expert Infantry Badge is a sign of prestige and reverence, earned by demonstrating a mastery of Soldier skills. For combat medics, the Expert Field Medic Badge, or EFMB, is its equivalent, earned through thorough testing of a combat medic’s knowledge of their craft and Soldier skills... MORE

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