Virginia National Guard

VNG PA talks training, impromptu Pride celebrations
June 28, 2022 — When 1st Lt. Nicole Albertson found herself at annual training during her first LGBTQ+ Pride Month since coming out, she wanted a way to mark the occasion. She was at A.P Hill with the Virginia National Guard’s 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Since she couldn’t walk in Washington, D.C.’s Pride Parade, she grabbed long-time friend, Staff Sgt. Cassandra Lyons, and a Pride flag and posed for a picture... MORE

34th CERFP conducts CTE in Virginia Beach
June 27, 2022 — Virginia and District of Columbia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted a mass casualty response drill as part of a collective training exercise May 24 - 27, 2022, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ... MORE

34th CERFP conducts mass casualty exercise during CTE

329th Regional Support Group returns from federal active duty in Iraq, Kuwait
June 27, 2022 — The first groups of the Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group Headquarters returned to Virginia June 17, 2022, after supporting Operation Inherent Resolve at multiple locations from Oct. 7, 2021, to June 6, 2022... MORE

329th RSG Headquarters returns from federal active duty in Iraq, Kuwait

VNG couple talks LGBTQ+ Pride, inclusivity & community
June 21, 2022 — For Sgt. Phillicia Lewis and Spc. Dejia Joyner, both serving in the Virginia Army National Guard, LGBTQ+ Pride Month is all about their community. Each year, they said, that community grows and with it, acceptance and inclusion. ... MORE

Sgt. Phillicia Lewis (right) and Spc. Dejia Joyner (left)

VNG RRB officially welcomes Johnson to top NCO spot
June 21, 2022 — The Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion welcomed Sgt. Maj. Paul A. Johnson as the battalion’s senior enlisted leader in a Change of Responsibility ceremony held June 8, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Johnson was promoted to the rank of sergeant major just before the ceremony and has served in the RRB since 2008, when he came on as a recruiter. ... MORE

The Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion officially welcomes Sgt. Maj. Paul Johnson as the battalion’s top noncommissioned in a change of responsibility ceremony held June 8, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Johnson was promoted just before taking responsibility of the formation and has performed the duties of the senior enlisted leader for the battalion for several months. Following the change of responsibility, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Compton was promoted to master sergeant, and newly-promoted Master Sgt. Thomas Clarke was recognized for his recent promotion as well. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

Soldier’s musical improvisation helped maintain readiness for AIT
June 21, 2022 — The first musical instrument Spc. Jessica Tang learned to play was the piano. At four-years-old, she was encouraged to play by her grandmother, who taught elementary school in China before immigrating to the United States to help take care of Tang... MORE

Spc. Jessica Tang plays the flute with the 29th Division Band.

“Major of Saint Lô,” other Citadel cadets honored at D-Day Memorial
June 15, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and alumni from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, attended a memorial plaque dedication at the National D-Day Memorial June 4, 2022, in Bedford, Virginia. ... MORE

Task Force Red Dragon hosts D-Day remembrance ceremony in the Horn of Africa
June 14, 2022 — U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), hosted a D-Day commemoration ceremony and ruck march June 6, 2022, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti... MORE

Virginia National Guard helps commemorate 78th anniversary of D-Day
June 14, 2022 — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Virginia National Guard Soldiers, including the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band, participated in the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the 1944 Allied D-Day invasion of Normandy June 6, 2022, at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG participates in D-Day anniversary events

VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare, tactical planning exchanges in Tajikistan
June 14, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Bowling Green-based 91st Cyber Brigade conducted a mountain warfare exchange and an advanced tactical planning exchange with soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan May 16 - 20, 2022, in Romit, Tajikistan. ... MORE

VNG Soldiers conduct exchanges in Tajikistan

KFOR MedEvac team crosses borders to save lives
June 14, 2022 — When the term MedEvac is mentioned, the thought of injured Soldiers being carried by stretcher and loaded onto Black Hawk helicopters is often the first thought to come to mind. However, a much different story recently played for one Kosovo Force aircrew who was called out to the rugged landscape of Albania’s northern mountain range... MORE

Field Artillery officer highlights trust, teamwork in unit cohesion
June 10, 2022 — Being a field artillery officer is what 1st Lt. Justin Riordan considers the best part of his service in the Virginia Army National Guard. What makes it so great, he said, is the teamwork... MORE

1st Lt. Justin Riordan, at left, poses with his husband in Richmond, Virginia.

Virginia DMA employees honored at annual luncheon
June 9, 2022 — Retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, Virginia Department of Military Affairs Chief Operations Officer, presented awards to DMA employees as part of a State Employee Recognition Day luncheon May 25, 2022, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ... MORE

229th BEB, RRB Soldiers represent VNG at Region II Best Warrior
June 1, 2022 — Two Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers competed for the titles of Soldier of the Year and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year during the Region II Best Warrior Competition May 17 - 20, 2022, at Camp Dawson, West Virginia. ... MORE

VNG Soldiers compete for Regional Best Warrior title

Fallen service members honored, remembered at Memorial Day events
June 1, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force took part in Memorial Day observations across Virginia as well as overseas May 30, 2022... MORE

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