Virginia National Guard

Training helps MTC staff spread UXO awareness
October 29, 2021 — Soldiers and civilians assigned to Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett completed a two-day “train the trainer” course designed to help spread awareness of the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance Sept. 28-29, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Virginia Defense Force conducts statewide readiness exercise
October 20, 2021 — Members of the Virginia Defense Force conducted the Highland Guardian 21 field training exercise Oct. 2, 2021, at multiple locations across Virginia to test their regional liaison, incident management assistance, access control and interoperable communications support capabilities... MORE

VNG aviators train fire-fighting skills before KFOR deployment
October 19, 2021 — With an upcoming deployment to Kosovo, Virginia Army National Guard flight crews took to the skies of Chesterfield, Virginia, to certify their ability to fight fires with massive water buckets Oct. 12, 2021. The buckets are capable of picking up and hauling nearly 6,000 pounds of water, which can then be flown to the site of a wildfire and dropped to assist with fire-fighting efforts on the ground. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard flight crews conduct water bucket training with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters Oct. 12, 2021, at a training area in Chesterfield, Virginia. Aviation assets can support fire-fighting efforts with the use of water buckets, which require periodic training for flight crews in order to ensure equipment proficiency. These Soldiers are scheduled to deploy to Kosovo with the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division in early 2022, where fire-fighting capabilities may be needed. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Historic documents help reveal back story of 29th ID patch, creator
October 19, 2021 — Thanks to recently uncovered documents in the Virginia National Guard’s historical collection, more is being learned about the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division’s iconic blue and gray unit patch, as well as about the Soldier who designed it. ... MORE

Named after Gen. Colin Powell, a VNG Soldier mourns his passing
October 19, 2021 — The young medic who bears a general’s name was just wrapping up his day when news broke that the man for whom he was named had died. His first thought was that life was too short. His second thought was of the general’s life, which had meant so much to so many around the world that the medic’s grandfather named him “CollinPowell” the day he was born in Cameroon... MORE

Spc. Collinpowell Ebai, a Virginia Army National Guard medic Soldier currently deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield with the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, demonstrates the proper casualty evaluation techniques during a training event.

Born in Cameroon, Ebai was named after Gen. Colin Powell, who died Oct. 18. (Courtesy photo)

DMA Fall Fest provides employees with training, fun
October 18, 2021 — Virginia Department of Military Affairs employees attended the 2021 DMA Fall Fest Sept. 23, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Fall Fest began with the presentation of a face to face version of new required state employee training on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Unconscious Bias, followed by lunch, games and music... MORE

Governor's certificate recognizes VNG, VDF COVID-19 response support
October 15, 2021 — A Certificate of Recognition signed by Governor Ralph Northam recognizes the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force support to Virginia's COVID-19 response... MORE

Virginia Army Guard pilot continues family’s aeronautical legacy
October 15, 2021 — When Chief Warrant Officer 3 Darrell Busquets joined the military, it was an enlisted engineer. Since then, he’s trained as an infantryman, deployed as a combat engineer, and earned his wings as an Army aviator. Today, he’s the battalion standardization pilot for the Virginia National Guard’s Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. ... MORE

‘To the Horse!’ Virginia Air National Guard’s Civil Engineering Squadron welcomes its new commander
October 6, 2021 — The 192nd Wing’s 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony Oct. 2, 2021, at the State Military Reservation where the unit is stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Col. David Lands, 192nd Mission Support Group commander, presided over the ceremony where Maj. Ayad M. Abisaab assumed command from Lt. Col. Jeffrey E. Getz... MORE

Col. David Lands, 192nd Mission Support Group commander, left, presents the 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) guidon to Maj. Ayad M. Abisaab signifying the start of his command during a change of command ceremony Oct. 2, 2021, at State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Phillips receives Governor’s Honor Award for Creative Customer Service
October 6, 2021 — Todd Phillips, Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett deputy chief of Plans, Training and Security, received the Virginia Governor’s Honor Award for Creative Customer Service Sept. 28, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

Recruiter celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with flavors from home
October 6, 2021 — When Hispanic Heritage Month comes around, Staff Sgt. Damian Montaño thinks of his childhood home, his family and all the things they’ve shared together. Originally from New Mexico, Montaño, a recruiter for the Virginia Army National Guard, now calls Virginia Beach, Virginia, his home. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Montaño assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion poses Sept. 18, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During National Hispanic Month, Montano says he thinks of his childhood home, his family and all the things they shared together. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Virginia National Guard welcomes 17 new OCS graduates
October 5, 2021 — The Virginia Army National Guard celebrated the graduation of 17 officer candidates from Officer Candidate School Class 63 and 64B Sept. 19, 2021, at a ceremony held at the Virginia National Guard Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

Seventeen Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates celebrate their graduation from Officer Candidate School Sept. 19, 2021, at a ceremony held at the Virginia National Guard Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Of the 17 graduates, 13 accepted their commissions, took their oath of office, and pinned on their lieutenant bars. Alumi from previous OCS classes participated in a presentation of a historic guidon from OCS Class 11 and the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided ceremonial music for the occasion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

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