Virginia National Guard

Spanberger, Cline rep tour VNG aviation facility
April 7, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger visited the Virginia National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility March 29, 2021, to learn more about the complex mission of the VNG’s aviation assets and the need for a new aviation support facility. Spanberger was joined by a member of Rep. Ben Cline’s staff and received briefings from Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and other VNG senior leaders. The group also toured the current facility and conducted an aerial tour on board a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter of the proposed location for the future facility, as well as key VNG facilities in the Richmond area... MORE

VNG Endurance Team seeking team members
April 7, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Endurance Team is seeking additional members! Soldiers interested in becoming part of this elite team will need to attend the DEKA STRONG National Guard Challenge May 21-23, 2021, at the National Guard Professional Education Center in Arkansas. Based on event results, Soldiers may be selected to represent the Virginia National Guard at the National Guard Endurance Team tryouts Aug. 27-30, 2021, also at PEC. ... MORE

Explosives detection training lane at MTC dedicated to fallen VNG Soldiers
April 6, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Current and former Virginia National Guard Soldiers and guests attended a dedication ceremony for the new Banks-Lambert Handheld Detection Lane March 26, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The explosives detection training lane was dedicated and named for Sgt. Derek R. Banks and Sgt. David E. Lambert, who were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device Oct. 25, 2007... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 72 cadets from Class 54
April 2, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia- The Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated 72 cadets from Class 54 during a ceremony March 20, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Walt Mercer, the Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, joined ChalleNGe staff members in congratulating the cadets during the socially-distant ceremony, which was live streamed for family members and friends to view online... MORE

Virginia Army Guard recruiters snag top spots after regional recruiting boards
April 1, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — In mid-March, a select few of Virginia’s Army National Guard recruiters traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a chance to be named top among their regional peers. Sgt. 1st Class Brian Adams was named the region’s top recruiting noncommissioned officer, Sgt. Dakota Baughan was named the region’s top rookie recruiter, and Master Sgt. Jessica Dickenson earned the region’s runner-up spot for top section chief... MORE

VNG WOCs check off milestones on way toward course completion
April 1, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s warrant officer candidates hit a few milestones during their March drill weekend. On March 19th, 2021, candidates volunteered at the Chesterfield Food Bank where they helped sort, load and distribute thousands of pounds of food to hundreds of local residents. Then, on the following day, they presented their class song and sign to Col. Charles B. Martin, commander of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute... MORE

124th CPB first VNG battalion with all-female staff
March 29, 2021 — FORT MEADE, Md. – For Lt. Col. Christina Perronie, Maj. Michele Spangler, Capt. Anabel Montano-Vargas, Capt. Katie Kerr and Capt. Vanessa Rodriguez, 2020 proved exceptionally memorable. These women, all assigned to the Fairfax-based 124th Cyber Protection Battalion, 91st Cyber Brigade, not only mobilized, but also comprised the first known all-female staff within the Virginia Army National Guard, as well as Task Force Echo... MORE

Newest R&R 1SG talks resilience, family balance
March 25, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — First Sgt. Ebony Bridges, assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, said reaching her current rank is something she’s incredibly proud of. As a Black woman, the road to her current position hasn’t always been easy, and there was a point when she thought she’d never be promoted past sergeant first class. But, she stayed the course and kept giving her best to the organization... MORE

Large-scale, short-notice D.C. mission requires massive transportation effort
March 24, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. – When more than 2,400 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen traveled to Washington, D.C., in January 2021, to assist civilian law enforcement with security operations before and after the 59th Presidential Inauguration, the large-scale, short-notice mission in the middle of a pandemic required a transportation plan unique to all involved. required a massive transportation plan unique to all involved... MORE

1-116th, MTC Soldiers claim titles at 2021 VNG Best Warrior Competition
March 24, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett have claimed top honors at the 2021 VNG Best Warrior Competition, which concluded with an awards ceremony March 21, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

‘Buddy Aid’ training takes new approach to sexual assault response, prevention
March 24, 2021 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Eight Army National Guard victim advocates from five states attended a new training program designed to help respond to sexual assault March 1, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The training on “Buddy Aid – First Response to Sexual Assault” was sponsored by the office of the Virginia National Guard Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and included a combination of military and civilians from National Guard Bureau’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and Virginia... MORE

Vaccine support task force commander humbled by opportunity to serve
March 22, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — Lt. Col. Juanita Rohler wears a lot of hats. She commands the Virginia National Guard’s vaccination support task force and the 529th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group. She’s one half of a dual-military couple and a dedicated mom. These days, as COVID-19 vaccination efforts ramp-up across the nation, she’s pretty busy... MORE

Youth Program salutes children with personalized certificates, proclamations
March 17, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. – April is the Month of the Military Child, a special month to recognize and pay tribute to military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and for their commitment, courage, and unconditional support of our Armed Forces. To show how much they are appreciated, the National Guard Youth Program is saluting the children of Soldiers and Airmen with personalized certificates and proclamations. Service members who would like to their child to receive a personalized certificate and Month of the Military Child Proclamation should sign up at https://2021momccerts.splashthat.com ... MORE

192nd Medical Group, Det. 1, welcomes new commander to lead transition to COVID-19 vaccination mission, CBRNE evaluation
March 16, 2021 — The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Medical Group, Detachment 1, welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony March 13, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. VaANG members, family and friends tuned into the ceremony via a live streamed broadcast on social media as Lt. Col. Lynn K. Samms assumed command of the specialized medical unit from Lt. Col. Gregory Chew. Col. Jason R. Price, 192nd MDG commander, presided over the ceremony... MORE

Virginia National Guard reconfiguring task force to provide mobile vaccination teams
March 15, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard is reconfiguring the task force currently conducting COVID-19 testing and mask fit training to create mobile vaccination teams to provide additional capacity for the statewide vaccination program... MORE

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