203rd RED HORSE Archive

  • STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford Civil War Park opened to the public Saturday, April 27, 2013, with an official ceremony that included speeches by state and local officials, historical lectures, living history displays, and more than 1,300 locals and Civil War enthusiasts there to enjoy the new 41-acre park. Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard were recognized for their significant contributions to the construction of the park. Built on the site of Union Army of the Potomac encampments, fortifications and roads from the winter of 1862-63, the site had long been forgotten to all but local relic hunters until retired Air Force Col. Glenn A. Trimmer and the Friends of Stafford County Civil War Sites got involved. “He...

    Stafford Civil War Park opens with help from Virginia Guard

    Posted on April 30, 2013 | No Comments
    STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford Civil War Park opened to the public Saturday, April 27, 2013, with an official ceremony that included speeches by state and local officials, historical lectures, living history displays, and more than 1,300 locals and Civil War enthusiasts there to enjoy the new 41-acre park. Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard were recognized for their significant contributions to the construction of the park. Built on the site of Union Army of the Potomac encampments, fortifications and roads from the winter of 1862-63, the site had long been forgotten to all but local relic hunters until retired Air Force Col. Glenn A. Trimmer and the Friends of Stafford County Civil War Sites got involved. “He...

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  • CAMP PENDLETON, Va. — More than 30 members of the Virginia National Guard community gathered for Earth Day activities April 23, 2013, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach. The two teams of volunteers from the Virginia Guard Environmental Office, Community Based Warrior Transition Unit, Virginia Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe, Virginia Tech Conservation Management Institute, 203rd RED HORSE Squadron and Camp Pendleton headquarters filled 75 bags of trash and installed more than 700 linear feet of fence to protect the sand dunes in one day. “This was the inaugural Earth Day event at Camp Pendleton,” said Maj. Jaycee Shaver, an environmental officer with the Virginia Army National Guard. “It was a great success and next year we hope to expand and get more...

    Earth Day brings Va. Guard volunteers out to clean up, protect Camp Pendleton environment

    Posted on April 27, 2013 | No Comments
    CAMP PENDLETON, Va. — More than 30 members of the Virginia National Guard community gathered for Earth Day activities April 23, 2013, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach. The two teams of volunteers from the Virginia Guard Environmental Office, Community Based Warrior Transition Unit, Virginia Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe, Virginia Tech Conservation Management Institute, 203rd RED HORSE Squadron and Camp Pendleton headquarters filled 75 bags of trash and installed more than 700 linear feet of fence to protect the sand dunes in one day. “This was the inaugural Earth Day event at Camp Pendleton,” said Maj. Jaycee Shaver, an environmental officer with the Virginia Army National Guard. “It was a great success and next year we hope to expand and get more...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia Air National Guard recruiting started the fiscal year strong in 2013 and was awarded for unparalleled performance in Region IV for the first quarter. Brig. Gen. Zane R. Johnson, Air Component Commander, presented the wing with the Top Accessions Award for an outstanding team effort that resulted in record-high recruitment numbers for the 192nd Fighter Wing. In addition, he recognized and awarded Master Sgt. Neil V. Keane as the Top Accessions Recruiting and Retention Non-Commissioned Officer and Technical Sgt. Kevin W. Singleton as the Top Accessions Production Recruiter. “The contribution made to the Virginia Air National Guard by our recruiting team is nothing short of outstanding. They have exceeded expectations and goals in every measurable...

    Air Guard Recruitment Team Recognized with 3 Regional Awards First Quarter FY 2013

    Posted on April 10, 2013 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia Air National Guard recruiting started the fiscal year strong in 2013 and was awarded for unparalleled performance in Region IV for the first quarter. Brig. Gen. Zane R. Johnson, Air Component Commander, presented the wing with the Top Accessions Award for an outstanding team effort that resulted in record-high recruitment numbers for the 192nd Fighter Wing. In addition, he recognized and awarded Master Sgt. Neil V. Keane as the Top Accessions Recruiting and Retention Non-Commissioned Officer and Technical Sgt. Kevin W. Singleton as the Top Accessions Production Recruiter. “The contribution made to the Virginia Air National Guard by our recruiting team is nothing short of outstanding. They have exceeded expectations and goals in every measurable...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — An Airman from the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron represented the Virginia Air National Guard as the winner of the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year in the Outstanding Airmen of the Year program for the entire Air National Guard. Master Sgt. Andre S. Davis, unit education and training manager, was selected for his achievements managing the Career Development Correspondence program. Davis effectively reduced the number of members in upgrade training by 40% resulting in improved technical abilities of unit Airmen. He also implemented a new school request process that resulted in a reduction of the waiting period for school from eight months to two months. “The Virginia Air National Guard recognized Davis for his accomplishments by selecting...

    203rd RED HORSE Airman Awarded 2013 Air National Guard Senior Non-Commissioned Officer

    Posted on April 10, 2013 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — An Airman from the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron represented the Virginia Air National Guard as the winner of the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year in the Outstanding Airmen of the Year program for the entire Air National Guard. Master Sgt. Andre S. Davis, unit education and training manager, was selected for his achievements managing the Career Development Correspondence program. Davis effectively reduced the number of members in upgrade training by 40% resulting in improved technical abilities of unit Airmen. He also implemented a new school request process that resulted in a reduction of the waiting period for school from eight months to two months. “The Virginia Air National Guard recognized Davis for his accomplishments by selecting...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron held a brief ceremony to lay an honor wreath March 3, 2013, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach to honor the 18 unit members and three Florida Army National Guard aviators who were killed in a military transport crash 12 years ago. The Virginia Guard engineers and three Florida aviators from Detachment I, Company H, 171st Aviation Battalion were killed on March 3, 2001, as the 203rd members were returning home after completing a two-week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The C-23 Sherpa they were flying in crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Ga. The C-23 crash was the worst peacetime aviation disaster in the history...

    203rd RED HORSE memorial service honors 12th anniversary of fatal airplane crash

    Posted on March 7, 2013 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron held a brief ceremony to lay an honor wreath March 3, 2013, at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach to honor the 18 unit members and three Florida Army National Guard aviators who were killed in a military transport crash 12 years ago. The Virginia Guard engineers and three Florida aviators from Detachment I, Company H, 171st Aviation Battalion were killed on March 3, 2001, as the 203rd members were returning home after completing a two-week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The C-23 Sherpa they were flying in crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Ga. The C-23 crash was the worst peacetime aviation disaster in the history...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron plans to hold a brief ceremony to lay an honor wreath March 3, 2013, at 3 p.m. at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach to honor the 18 unit members and three Florida Army National Guard aviators who were killed in a military transport crash 12 years ago. FOR THE NEWS MEDIA: Any news organization that would like to cover the event should RSVP to Cotton Puryear no later than Friday, March 1 at 4 p.m. to coordinate for access to Camp Pendleton. The Virginia Guard engineers and three Florida aviators from Detachment I, Company H, 171st Aviation Battalion were killed on March 3, 2001, as the 203rd members were...

    Ceremony scheduled by 203rd RED HORSE to remember Airmen, Soldiers killed in fatal plane crash 12 years ago

    Posted on February 25, 2013 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron plans to hold a brief ceremony to lay an honor wreath March 3, 2013, at 3 p.m. at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach to honor the 18 unit members and three Florida Army National Guard aviators who were killed in a military transport crash 12 years ago. FOR THE NEWS MEDIA: Any news organization that would like to cover the event should RSVP to Cotton Puryear no later than Friday, March 1 at 4 p.m. to coordinate for access to Camp Pendleton. The Virginia Guard engineers and three Florida aviators from Detachment I, Company H, 171st Aviation Battalion were killed on March 3, 2001, as the 203rd members were...

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  • CAMP PENDLETON, Va. — Airmen from the Virginia Air National Guard’s Camp Pendleton-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron focused on mobility training and deployment skills Nov. 1-4, 2012, during a field training exercise at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach. Approximately 120 Airmen from the 203rd RHS participated in the FTX where they set up a forward operating base, conducted warfare training and refined required wartime tasking skills. The exercise emphasized basics like general safety practices, setting up and protecting a base, and field hygiene while more specialized training included war-task training like convoy operations and airfield damage assessments and repair. “This is great training as we work with the different equipment because all of our gear is mobility equipment and therefore...

    Virginia Air Guard engineers conduct FTX focused on mobility and deployment skills

    Posted on November 6, 2012 | No Comments
    CAMP PENDLETON, Va. — Airmen from the Virginia Air National Guard’s Camp Pendleton-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron focused on mobility training and deployment skills Nov. 1-4, 2012, during a field training exercise at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach. Approximately 120 Airmen from the 203rd RHS participated in the FTX where they set up a forward operating base, conducted warfare training and refined required wartime tasking skills. The exercise emphasized basics like general safety practices, setting up and protecting a base, and field hygiene while more specialized training included war-task training like convoy operations and airfield damage assessments and repair. “This is great training as we work with the different equipment because all of our gear is mobility equipment and therefore...

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  • OCEANA NAVAL AIR STATION, Va. — Virginia Air National Guard Recruiters spoke with potential recruits at the Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show, Sept. 14-16, 2012, with the assistance of the Air National Guard’s mobile events team and assets. The recruiters met approximately 300 to 500 potential recruits throughout the weekend, including prior service military members. The event kicked off on Friday when the air show was being set up, as Reserve Officer Training Corps classes from colleges and high schools across the commonwealth came to meet the ANG recruiters. The NAS Oceana Air Show is one of the biggest recruiting events for the Air National Guard recruiters this year. “This is a very large event that provides great exposure…from...

    Virginia Air National Guard Recruiters meet potential recruits at Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show

    Posted on September 18, 2012 | No Comments
    OCEANA NAVAL AIR STATION, Va. — Virginia Air National Guard Recruiters spoke with potential recruits at the Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show, Sept. 14-16, 2012, with the assistance of the Air National Guard’s mobile events team and assets. The recruiters met approximately 300 to 500 potential recruits throughout the weekend, including prior service military members. The event kicked off on Friday when the air show was being set up, as Reserve Officer Training Corps classes from colleges and high schools across the commonwealth came to meet the ANG recruiters. The NAS Oceana Air Show is one of the biggest recruiting events for the Air National Guard recruiters this year. “This is a very large event that provides great exposure…from...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Senior leaders of the Virginia National Guard recognized more than 120 Airmen from the Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron during a Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony Aug. 18 at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach. The ceremony honored the unit’s service as they completed approximately 70 projects in seven countries, at 18 different sites, during their deployment from March to October 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Hometown Heroes Salute Campaign publicly acknowledges Air National Guard Airmen and those who supported them during the President’s call to duty for Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and other operations. “I am extremely proud of what we accomplished over there,” said Lt. Col. Pete Garner,...

    203rd RED HORSE Airmen recognized at Hometown Heroes Salute

    Posted on August 20, 2012 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Senior leaders of the Virginia National Guard recognized more than 120 Airmen from the Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron during a Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony Aug. 18 at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach. The ceremony honored the unit’s service as they completed approximately 70 projects in seven countries, at 18 different sites, during their deployment from March to October 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Hometown Heroes Salute Campaign publicly acknowledges Air National Guard Airmen and those who supported them during the President’s call to duty for Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and other operations. “I am extremely proud of what we accomplished over there,” said Lt. Col. Pete Garner,...

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  • RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Army and Air Guard engineers put their skills, experience and equipment to work for community service projects in Richmond and Stafford County in late July and early August. Not only did the projects help the two communities, they also gave the Soldiers and Airmen valuable real-world training they can put to use for both their federal and state missions. Both projects were part of the Innovative Readiness Training program that allows Army and Air Guard engineers to put their military skills to work on community service projects approved by National Guard Bureau. Work began last summer on the initial phases of both projects. Approximately 40 Soldiers from the Virginia Guard’s Cedar Bluff-based 1033rd Engineer Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion,...

    Army and Air Guard engineers improve communities with service projects

    Posted on August 16, 2012 | No Comments
    RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Army and Air Guard engineers put their skills, experience and equipment to work for community service projects in Richmond and Stafford County in late July and early August. Not only did the projects help the two communities, they also gave the Soldiers and Airmen valuable real-world training they can put to use for both their federal and state missions. Both projects were part of the Innovative Readiness Training program that allows Army and Air Guard engineers to put their military skills to work on community service projects approved by National Guard Bureau. Work began last summer on the initial phases of both projects. Approximately 40 Soldiers from the Virginia Guard’s Cedar Bluff-based 1033rd Engineer Support Company, 276th Engineer Battalion,...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Members of the Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron returned June 26 from a deployment during which they provided much-needed services for the Naval Special Warfare Group One at Camp Billy Machen, Niland, and San Clemente Island, Calif. At Niland, the Airmen installed a 24 feet by 120 feet concrete pad under a sunshade. They demolished the existing main gate apron and installed a new 30 feet by 70 feet concrete apron. In preparation for future pre-engineered buildings, they installed two 30 feet by 42 feet concrete pads and footers, as well as new electrical services. Additionally, for one of the existing buildings at CBM, the Airmen installed an air compressor and distribution lines, new electrical service and receptacles for the welding area, and new electrical circuits for additional receptacles. At San Clemente Island,...

    RED HORSE Squadron members return from deployment in Niland, San Clement Island, Calif.

    Posted on July 3, 2012 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Members of the Virginia Beach-based 203rd RED HORSE Squadron returned June 26 from a deployment during which they provided much-needed services for the Naval Special Warfare Group One at Camp Billy Machen, Niland, and San Clemente Island, Calif. At Niland, the Airmen installed a 24 feet by 120 feet concrete pad under a sunshade. They demolished the existing main gate apron and installed a new 30 feet by 70 feet concrete apron. In preparation for future pre-engineered buildings, they installed two 30 feet by 42 feet concrete pads and footers, as well as new electrical services. Additionally, for one of the existing buildings at CBM, the Airmen installed an air compressor and distribution lines, new electrical service and receptacles for the welding area, and new electrical circuits for additional receptacles. At San Clemente Island,...

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  •   ARLINGTON, Va. — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, together with leadership from the 192nd Fighter Wing, 203rd RED HORSE Squadron, 200th Weather Flight and Joint Force Headquarters delivered the “State of the State” brief to Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt, III, Director of the Air National Guard, and his Air Staff leadership team May 16 and 17. The main objective of the two-day event is communication between organizations. Specifically, topics of discussion included: accomplishments, significant issues, areas where assistance may be needed from the National Guard Bureau and mitigation plans. Long noted that it’s also a great opportunity to continue to build relationships, many of which are already in place. “Resources come from...

    AG and Virginia Air National Guard Staff delivered “State of the State” brief

    Posted on May 22, 2012 | No Comments
      ARLINGTON, Va. — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, together with leadership from the 192nd Fighter Wing, 203rd RED HORSE Squadron, 200th Weather Flight and Joint Force Headquarters delivered the “State of the State” brief to Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt, III, Director of the Air National Guard, and his Air Staff leadership team May 16 and 17. The main objective of the two-day event is communication between organizations. Specifically, topics of discussion included: accomplishments, significant issues, areas where assistance may be needed from the National Guard Bureau and mitigation plans. Long noted that it’s also a great opportunity to continue to build relationships, many of which are already in place. “Resources come from...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Airmen from the Virginia Air National Guard’s 203rd RED HORSE Squadron hit the beach at the Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach May 6 for individual weapons qualification on their M-4 rifles. It was the first time the Airmen from the 203rd RHS fired using the Air Force’s new Air Force Rifle Qualification Course. The new course features more firing, more positions and more classroom instruction before hitting the actual range.   “We went from 100 rounds to 276 rounds,” explained Master Sgt. Dan Summerell of the 203rd RHS, who served as noncommissioned officer in charge of the range. “There are a total of six phases and 17 different procedures.” There are many differences between the old course and...

    203rd RED HORSE Airmen tackle new Air Force Qualification Course at Camp Pendleton

    Posted on May 10, 2012 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Airmen from the Virginia Air National Guard’s 203rd RED HORSE Squadron hit the beach at the Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach May 6 for individual weapons qualification on their M-4 rifles. It was the first time the Airmen from the 203rd RHS fired using the Air Force’s new Air Force Rifle Qualification Course. The new course features more firing, more positions and more classroom instruction before hitting the actual range.   “We went from 100 rounds to 276 rounds,” explained Master Sgt. Dan Summerell of the 203rd RHS, who served as noncommissioned officer in charge of the range. “There are a total of six phases and 17 different procedures.” There are many differences between the old course and...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Family members, friends and fellow Airmen from the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron gathered at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach March 3 to honor the 18 unit members and three Florida Army National Guard aviators who were killed in a military transport crash 11 years ago. The Virginia Guard engineers and three Florida aviators from Detachment 1, Company H, 171st Aviation Battalion were killed on March 3, 2001, as the 203rd members were returning home after completing a two-week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The C-23 Sherpa they were flying in crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Ga. Because of inclement weather, Saturday’s ceremony was held in the 203rd Red Horse Squadron...

    203rd RED HORSE remembers Airmen, Soldiers killed in fatal plane crash 11 years ago

    Posted on March 5, 2012 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Family members, friends and fellow Airmen from the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron gathered at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach March 3 to honor the 18 unit members and three Florida Army National Guard aviators who were killed in a military transport crash 11 years ago. The Virginia Guard engineers and three Florida aviators from Detachment 1, Company H, 171st Aviation Battalion were killed on March 3, 2001, as the 203rd members were returning home after completing a two-week military construction project at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The C-23 Sherpa they were flying in crashed in a cotton field near Unadilla, Ga. Because of inclement weather, Saturday’s ceremony was held in the 203rd Red Horse Squadron...

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