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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archive by Year

News Archive by Category