Virginia National Guard

Va. Guard Soldiers assigned to Lynchburg-based infantry battalion to mobilize for overseas duty
July 29, 2021 — The Virginia National Guard’s Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has received a mobilization order to enter federal active duty to provide a security force in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, according to an announcement made July 29, 2021, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. ... MORE

OCS Class 64 launches into Phase II
July 28, 2021 — Twelve Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates completed Phase I of Officer Candidate School and launched their training into Phase II during a recent drill weekend, held July 16-18, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia’s OCS is taught by cadre assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute and the first drill of Phase II was held at SMR as a nod to the program’s historic past. ... MORE

Twelve Virginia Army National Guard officer candidates launch into Phase II of Officer Candidate School July 17, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The candidates are part of OCS Class 64, and spent the weekend training at SMR where Virginia’s OCS was founded. The course is taught by cadre assigned to Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler)

Local recruiters recognized by mayor in Virginia Beach
July 28, 2021 — The Virginia Army National Guard was among those recognized at Local Heroes Day, an event held July 17, 2021, at the Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Along with local first responders, recruiters from the Virginia Army National Guard accepted a proclamation and an engraved surfboard from Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. ... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard recruiters participate in Local Heroes Day July 17, 2021, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Along with local first responders, the recruiters from the accepted a proclamation and an engraved surfboard from Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer at the event. (Courtesy Photo)

Virginia Guard Soldiers train on basics of Military Funeral Honors
July 28, 2021 — Nine Virginia National Guard Soldiers completed Level 1 Funeral Honors training June 20-27, 2021, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Led by the Virginia National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program, the course prepares Soldiers to conduct professional military funeral honors in accordance with service tradition... MORE

116th IBCT trains on new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle
July 26, 2021 — Virginia and Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team trained on and fielded new M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifles July 12-15, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

29ID assumes authority of Task Force Spartan
July 23, 2021 — Maj. Gen. John Rhodes, commanding general, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard, assumed command of Task Force Spartan from Maj. Gen. Patrick Hamilton, commanding general, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, July 20, 2021. The transfer of authority ceremony was presided over by Lt. Gen. Terry Ferrell, commanding general, U.S. Army Central... MORE

192nd Maintenance Squadron holds assumption of command
July 22, 2021 — The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Maintenance Squadron gained a new commander, Lt. Col. Elim H. Sniady, during an assumption of command ceremony July 11, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia... MORE

The 192nd Maintenance Squadron holds an assumption of command ceremony July 11, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Lt. Col. Elim H. Sniady assumed command of the squadron after serving as Air National Guard Combat Forces advisor.

VNG builds partnerships at Regional Cooperation 21
July 14, 2021 — Fifteen Virginia National Guard Soldiers participated in Regional Cooperation 2021, a U.S. Central Command-led exercise designed to promote cooperation and joint combined capabilities among the U.S and partner nations in Central and South Asia, or CASA. The annual exercise, held this year June 7-17, 2021, at Fort Harrison, Montana, was a brigade-level command post exercise. Virginia Soldiers integrated into various roles, often working alongside partner nation military members... MORE

Brig. Gen. James Ring, Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, and Col. Todd Hubbard, VNG Operations Chief, visit Regional Cooperation 2021, a U.S. Central Command-led exercise designed to promote cooperation among the U.S and partner nations in Central and South Asia, June 14, 2021, in Helena, Montana. Fifteen Virginia Soldiers participated in the event and were integrated in various staff positions and used the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with their state partners from Tajikistan. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Online training provides valuable collaborative experience for VNG chaplains
July 14, 2021 — Religious support personnel from all components of the Virginia National Guard participated in a virtual training event June 5, 2021, designed to not only provide required training but also to increase communication and improve collaboration between the services. “It was a really good mix of Army, Air and Virginia Defense Force, as well as active duty,” said Capt. Will Cochrane, chaplain for the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group. “There was a great joint aspect with different elements represented. It was unique to be with them and collaborate. I honestly don’t remember a time when we’ve done that before. Everyone had a piece of the training.”... MORE

180th Engineers head to Louisiana for JRTC rotation
July 14, 2021 — More than 50 Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group are supporting the Arkansas National Guard during a training rotation July 10 - Aug. 3, 2021, at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Pickett-based Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site load a bulldozer onto a trailer for transport July 9, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The bulldozer is part of the heavy equipment the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group is taking for use during a training rotation July 10 - Aug. 3, 2021, at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana.

34th CST conducts drug hazard training in Manassas
July 13, 2021 — Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team conducted unique drug identification training and a full-scale response exercise June 22 - 24, 2021, at the Manassas Readiness Center in Manassas, Virginia... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team conduct a site assessment on a mock drug lab during a training exercise June 24, 2021, at the Manassas Readiness Center in Manassas, Virginia.

VNG Soldiers move historic M84 to Richmond for restoration, display
July 13, 2021 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the G4 Maintenance Assistance and Instruction Team moved a historic M84 self-propelled 4.2 mortar carrier June 25, 2021, from the Charlottesville Readiness Center to the VNG Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the G4 Maintenance Assistance and Instruction Team offload an M84 self-propelled 4.2 mortar carrier June 25, 2021, at the VNG's Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.

Deployed 29th Infantry Division warrant officers celebrate 103rd birthday
July 12, 2021 — Virginia Army National Guard warrant officers assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, celebrated the Warrant Officer Corps’ 103rd birthday alongside their 36th Infantry Division counterparts July 9, 2021, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait... MORE

Gillis promoted to brigadier general, will lead VaARNG strategic initiatives
July 7, 2021 — Col. Doyle Gillis, Jr., was promoted to brigadier general July 10, 2021, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia, and succeeds Brig. Gen. James A. Zollar as the Virginia National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, announced the promotion and assignment July 2... MORE

Col. Doyle Gillis, Jr., is promoted to brigadier general July 10, 2021, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Gillis succeeds Brig. Gen. James A. Zollar as the Virginia National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives, and the promotion and assignment are effective July 10.

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