Virginia National Guard > News

Virginia National Guard celebrates 419 years of service
May 19, 2026 — The Virginia National Guard celebrated its 419th birthday May 14, 2026, during a ceremony in Richmond, Virginia. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger provided remarks, while retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, read aloud the birthday proclamation. ... MORE

Gov. Spanberger helps VNG recognize 419th birthday

Virginia Soldiers endure miles, mud, minimal sleep at Region II Best Warrior Competition
May 19, 2026 — Rain, mud, exhaustion and unrelenting Appalachian terrain challenged Soldiers as they vied for the titles of Best Soldier and Best Noncommissioned Officer during the Region II Best Warrior Competition May 4-7, 2026, at Camp Dawson near Kingwood, West Virginia. Representing the Virginia Army National Guard were Spc. Javan Cooper, an infantryman assigned to the 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, and Staff Sgt. Frederic Newton, a recruiter assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. ... MORE

Hairston named top Region 2 prevention specialist
May 19, 2026 — A prevention specialist in the Virginia National Guard’s Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce is the Region 2 Prevention Specialist of the Year, according to an announcement at the National Guard Bureau’s Integrated Primary Prevention Symposium. ... MORE

Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy hosts Family Day for Class 64
May 19, 2026 — Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy staff, cadets and their families enjoyed Class 64’s Family Day May 9, 2026, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition to spending time with their cadets, family members observed a drill and ceremony demonstration and received the opportunity to meet with CCYA cadre and administrators... MORE

Newest VNG Soldiers recognized during Military Signing Day
May 18, 2026 — Thirty-nine of the Virginia Army National Guard’s newest recruits participated in the Virginia Department of Veteran Services’ Military Signing Day, held May 8, 2026, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. ... MORE

Glass takes command of 237th Engineers
May 18, 2026 — Capt. Daniel B. Glass took command of the West Point-based 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group from Capt. Trevon S. Johnson during a change of command ceremony April 10, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare exchange in Tajikistan
May 14, 2026 — Eight Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a mountain warfare exchange with members of the Tajik military April 27 – May 1, 2026, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan... MORE

Chaplain Sprouse promoted to brigadier general
May 12, 2026 — The Virginia National Guard’s Col. Benjamin Sprouse pinned on the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony May 3, 2026, at the VNG’s Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia... MORE

VaANG cyber warriors defend digital front during Locked Shields 26
May 6, 2026 — Six members of the Virginia Air National Guard participated in Locked Shields 2026, an international cyber defense exercise, April 11-25, 2026, in Jyväskylä, Finland... MORE

Astphan succeeds Rohler as 329th RSG commander
April 27, 2026 — Col. Alyssa Y. Astphan took command of the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. Juanita Rohler during a ceremony held April 19, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr., the Virginia Army National Guard’s Land Component Commander, presided over the ceremony and exchange of unit colors that signified the transfer of command from Rohler to Astphan. ... MORE

First Formation continues building faster, stronger entry point for Virginia Guard Soldiers
April 27, 2026 — After nearly seven months of implementation, the Virginia Army National Guard’s First Formation program has welcomed hundreds of Soldiers into the force, providing a structured introduction for those newly assigned or recently transferred into the organization. Held monthly at Defense Supply Center Richmond, First Formation provides in-processing support, connects Soldiers with unit representatives, and ensures their administrative and equipment needs are in place from day one. Since the first iteration, ongoing refinements to the process have improved efficiency and overall execution. ... MORE

116th MBCT tests new tech during live-fire exercise
April 24, 2026 — Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Brig. Gen. Rusty McGuire, the Assistant Adjutant General - Army Strategic Initiatives, saw some of the unit’s new capabilities put into practice during a multi-domain live-fire exercise April 18, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia... MORE

VNG youth kick off Month of the Military Child
April 16, 2026 — April is Month of the Military Child and the Virginia National Guard Child & Youth Program kicked off the celebration with an event March 28- 29, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

VaARNG Soldiers compete for spot on All Guard Endurance Team
April 15, 2026 — A team of Virginia National Guard Soldiers made a strong showing at the All Guard Endurance Team Trials April 11, 2026, at the Nebraska Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Grand Island, Nebraska. ... MORE

VNG team participates in Exercise Cold Response in Finland
April 8, 2026 — A team of Virginia National Guard officers traveled to Finland to participate in Exercise Cold Response, a multi-country and multi-service winter exercise lead by the Norwegian Army which concluded March 20, 2026... MORE

Archive by Year

News Archive by Category