Virginia National Guard

Virginia National Guard begins COVID-19 vaccinations
December 31, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Members of the Virginia National Guard began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 31, 2020, as part of the national rollout established by the Department of Defense and National Guard Bureau... MORE

Capt. Wilifred Hale receives a COVID-19 vaccination from Sgt. Anna Carter Dec. 31, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

329th RSG conducts Best Warrior Competition
December 16, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. – Soldiers assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group competed for top honors in the RSG’s Best Warrior Competition Dec. 10-11, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Over the two days, Soldiers squared off in six events designed to test and challenge them mentally and physically. ... MORE

Sgt. Michael Walker and Spc. Luke Shallenberger take top honors in the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group Best Warrior Competition held Dec. 10-11, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Virginia National Guard staged, ready for possible winter storm response operations
December 16, 2020 — The Virginia National Guard has staged approximately 60 Soldiers and 20 vehicles for state emergency support duty in the northwest area of the state Dec. 16, 2020, and they are ready to assist local and state emergency agencies respond to potential impacts from heavy snow along the I-81 and I-66 corridors. Expected missions for the VNG include using Humvees and light/medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through deep snow or help evacuate citizens in need of shelter as well as providing debris reduction teams with chain saws to help clear roads if needed... MORE

A Virginia National Guard Soldier assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducts pre-mission maintenance checks Dec. 16, 2020, in Staunton, Virginia.

Current, former field artillery Soldiers receive Order of St. Barbara
December 16, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — A select group of current and former Virginia National Guard artillery Soldiers are being recognized for their service to the field artillery community with the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara... MORE

Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, presents the Ancient Order of St. Barbara to retired Col. Mike Coleman during a ceremony at the Capitol of Virginia Dec. 14, 2020, in Richmond, Virginia.

VNG COVID-19 response support will continue into 2021
December 16, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are continuing to provide COVID-19 pandemic response support to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia Department of Health as 2020 draws to a close. Support will also continue into the new year after federal funding was extended for COVID-19 response through March 2021. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen support a COVID-19 testing event for students and staff at Randolph-Macon College Nov. 17, 2020, in Ashland, Virginia.

Medic earns dental hygienist cert, becomes first college grad in family
December 15, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. – Sgt. Lauren Jenkins, a medic assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard’s Medical Command, became a licensed dental hygienist earlier this year, finishing her final training amid shutdowns and restrictions brought about by the pandemic. Jenkins earned her degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and is the first in her family to become a college graduate... MORE

DMA graduates 13 from latest Supervisors Course
December 15, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs conducted their Supervisors Course for 13 new managers of DMA employees Dec. 2-4, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The three-day course is a requirement for Virginia National Guard service members or civilians who manage DMA employees within one year of holding their position. ... MORE

Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, speaks to Virginia Department of Military Affairs managers during the DMA Supervisors Course Dec. 4, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

New 34th CERFP Soldiers, Airmen attend CERFP University
December 8, 2020 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard’s Richmond-based 34th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP (pronounced “surf-p”) conducted an initial entry training event Nov. 30 through Dec. 4, 2020, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia to instruct their newest Soldiers and Airmen on the basics of incident management and emergency response... MORE

Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Richmond-based 34th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP, learn to use emergency response equipment during CERFP University Dec. 3, 2020, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

VDF conducts statewide response exercise
December 7, 2020 — LYNCHBURG, Va. — Members of the Virginia Defense Force conducted the Highland Guardian field training exercise Nov. 7, 2020, at multiple locations across Virginia to test their regional liaison, incident management assistance and interoperable communications support capabilities... MORE

Virginia Defense Force personnel assigned to the 1st Regiment and Support Operations Group take part in the Highland Guardian field training exercise Nov. 7, 2020, in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Batterton to succeed Piper as the commander of 192nd Wing
December 2, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. -- Col. Christopher G. Batterton will succeed Col. Mark Piper as the commander of the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Wing based at Langley Air Force Base, according to an announcement made Nov. 6, 2020, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. The assignment is effective Jan. 3, 2021... MORE

Col. Christopher G. Batterton will succeed Col. Mark Piper as the commander of the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Wing based at Langley Air Force Base, according to an announcement made Nov. 6, 2020, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia.

Soldier's 80-lb weight loss journey leads to military service
December 2, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — When he was 17, Staff Sgt. Roger Jackson struggled with his weight. At 5 feet, 7 inches tall, he weighed in at around 250 pounds. “Over the years, I had been made fun of, bullied, talked about, put down, denied certain extracurricular activities, criticized, etcetera because of my weight,” Jackson said. None of that did much to boost his self-esteem or confidence, but eventually he decided to try out for his high school’s basketball team... MORE

Staff Sgt. Roger Jackson, assigned to the 183rd Regional Regiment, Training Institute, weighed 250 lbs at the age of 17 (left), lost 80 lbs and today maintains a high-level of physical and mental toughness through regular and consistent training.

HART partnership cited as career highlight for participants
December 1, 2020 — CHESTERFIELD, Va. — For nearly a decade, Virginia National Guard flight crews have worked alongside technicians from the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team. Over those many years, the two organizations created, built and grew Virginia’s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART. Since the program’s inception in 2011, the HART has deployed for hurricane response, flown countless hours over the waterways and landscapes of Virginia and now boasts approximately 20 trained technicians. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard flight crews train with Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team members on rescue hoist operations Nov. 19, 2020, in Chesterfield, Virginia. Together, the Virginia aviators and Chesterfield first responders form the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART. Their training focused on conducting litter hoists and is part of an ongoing partnership that first began in 2011.

Gallagher discusses importance of mentorship at DMA event
December 1, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, spoke to participants in the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Workforce Development Mentoring Program during an event Nov. 19, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, speaks to participants in the Virginia Department of Military Affairs’ mentorship program during an event Nov. 19, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Dual military couple says finding each other is best military perk
November 17, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — The challenges of being a dual-military couple are balanced by the benefits. On one hand, couples share the experience of military service, which can be a foundation for strength for many. On the other hand, these couples face the challenge of juggling two military careers with the demands of family life... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Robichaud and Staff Sgt. Sara Robichaud, both assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard, pose with their children. The two have more than 20 years of combined service and enjoy the life the military has given them and their children.

Veterans Day honors service, sacrifice
November 16, 2020 — RICHMOND, Va. — Because of the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia National Guard participation in Veterans Day events was greatly reduced, but the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces was still honored and recognized... MORE

Staff Sgt. Eddie B. Jones leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the 64th annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11, 2020, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia.

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