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Virginia National Guard celebrates 406th birthday
Posted on May 14, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Senior leaders, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians employees gathered to celebrate the 406th birthday of the Virginia National Guard with a cake cutting May 14, 2013, at the Joint Force Headquarters in Sandston. The Virginia National Guard traces the heritage and traditions of selfless service to the founding of the Jamestown Settlement May 14, 1607, where Capt. John Smith organized a militia to defend the colony. There has not been a day since without a military presence in Virginia to defend freedom at home and overseas. Prior to 1652, formal military organizations were formed as needed and disbanded after the threat passed, and then the House of Burgesses passed a bill that each county would organize militia companies... -
Virginia National Guard recognizes top units
Posted on April 25, 2013 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, recognized the Headquarters Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, as the top company-level unit in the Virginia Army National Guard during the Virginia National Guard Officer’s Association Conference held April 20, 2013, in Richmond. He also presented the Virginia Excellence in Training Award, National Guard Bureau Superior Unit Award and Pershing Trophy to recognize other top-performing company level units. Long also announced that two Virginia National Guard battalions have been recognized as the best in the nation by the National Guard Association and the Association of the United States Army. The Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team... -
Virginia National Guard special response force to conduct external evaluation in Virginia Beach
Posted on April 25, 2013 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — More than 180 Virginia Army and Air Guard personnel from a special response force of the Virginia National Guard will conduct an external evaluation exercise April 27, 2013, hosted by the Virginia Beach Fire Training Center in Virginia Beach. The exercise will validate response capabilities and improve operations for the response force. FOR THE NEWS MEDIA: Members of the news media are invited to attend training and preparations for the evaluation on Friday, April 26, 2013, at 11 a.m. Reporters and photographers should check in at the Virginia National Guard readiness center at 1096 South Birdneck Road in Virginia Beach no later than 10:45 for an information briefing and transport to the training location. Please DO... -
Phillips named 29th ID deputy commander, Ortner new Va. Army Guard commander
Posted on April 24, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Brig. Gen. William R. Phillips, II, has been selected to succeed Brig. Gen. William J. O’Neil as deputy commanding general of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, and Col. Blake C. Ortner has been named to succeed Phillips as the Virginia National Guard land component commander, according to an announcement made April 24, 2013, by Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. O’Neil will retire effective July 1, 2013, after 27 years of service. “Brig. Gen. Phillips will bring a wealth of experience to his new assignment as the deputy commanding general of the 29th Infantry Division,” Long said. “His recent superb performance as the Virginia Army National Guard’s land component commander is... -
1710th Trans. Co. heads south for final training phase before Afghan deployment
Posted on April 8, 2013 | No CommentsEMPORIA, Va. – Along with approximately 160 Soldiers of the Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, family, friends, and senior leaders from the commonwealth and the Virginia National Guard packed the Greensville County Elementary School auditorium April 3, 2013, for a departure ceremony, held to bid an official farewell to the Soldiers of the 1710th. The 1710th entered federal active duty April 1, and departed April 4 for Fort Hood, Texas, where they will train for 45 to 60 days, before heading to Afghanistan.“This is it – this is the threshold we talked about so many times,” said Maj. Geoffrey Oneill, commander of the 529th CSSB, during his remarks. “For some of you... -
Virginia Guard’s Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company to conduct departure ceremony April 3
Posted on March 28, 2013 | No CommentsEMPORIA, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group will conduct a departure ceremony April 3, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Greensville County Elementary School. Approximately 160 Soldiers from the 1710th will begin federal active duty April 1, 2013, and are scheduled to conduct mobilization training for about 45 to 60 days at Fort Hood, Texas, then deploy to Afghanistan. Once in country, they are expected to perform the mission of transportation support operations, and the mobilization is planned to last 12 months. The address for the Greensville County Elementary School is 1011 Sussex Drive in Emporia. The 1710th Transportation Company is the first Virginia National Guard unit... -
203rd RED HORSE memorial service honors 12th anniversary of fatal airplane crash
Posted on March 7, 2013 | No CommentsVIRGINIA 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... -
Va. Guard supports snow response operations in Central Virginia, Northern Virginia and Shenandoah Valley
Posted on March 7, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — More than 160 Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team mobilized on state active duty March 6, 2013, in the Central Virginia, Northern Virginia and Shenandoah Valley areas of Virginia in direct support to the Virginia State Police and other state and local emergency response agencies. Before they were released March 7, Virginia Guard personnel assisted with debris reduction, rescuing motorists stranded in heavy snow, clearing a disabled vehicle and conducting incident awareness assessment patrols. “On short notice, the Virginia National Guard responded quickly when called upon by the state,” said Col. James Ring, Virginia National Guard director of joint operations. “The Virginia National Guard accomplished all missions assigned and had forces on... -
Transportation mission fills gap to make Canadian exercise possible
Posted on February 27, 2013 | No CommentsGATE CITY, Va. — Soldiers from the Gate City-based 1032nd Transportation Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group drove more than 48,000 accident-free operational miles between Feb. 4 and 13, 2013, to transport wheeled vehicles and trailers for the Canadian Army Reserve to take part in Exercise Southbound Trooper and Southern Raider and Exercise Southern Raider at Fort Pickett. The mission provided realistic training for the Soldiers but also provided the Canadians with the vehicles they needed to conduct the exercise. “Quite frankly, the exercise would not have taken place without the support of the Virginia Guard’s 1032nd Transportation Company,” said Lt. Col. Donnie Walsh, the deputy commander of the 36 Canadian Brigade Group and commanding officer for Exercise... -
Ceremony scheduled by 203rd RED HORSE to remember Airmen, Soldiers killed in fatal plane crash 12 years ago
Posted on February 25, 2013 | No CommentsVIRGINIA 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... -
Va. Guard Family Programs supports Military Saves Week
Posted on February 25, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard Family Programs Office will support Military Saves Week with information stations Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Building 316 at Fort Pickett and Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Mullins Armory in Sandston. The stations are open to all military personnel and their family members, and visitors can receive a free credit score report once they take the Military Saves Pledge. Military Saves Week 2013 runs from Feb. 25 to March 2, 2013, which coincides with America Saves Week. Military Saves is a part of America Saves, the larger nationwide campaign for all Americans and encourages all servicemembers, their families, and civilian employees... -
![LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. – Airmen of the 192nd Fighter Wing, a Virginia Air National Guard unit, and 1st Fighter Wing maintenance teams here scored an ‘Excellent’ 91.37 percent in the Air Combat Command Logistics Compliance Assessment Program assessment Feb. 8-13. The LCAP provides leadership with an evaluation of a unit’s ability to perform key logistics processes in a safe, standardized, repeatable and technically compliant manner. “The LCAP inspectors validated what we already knew; the strength of the 1st and 192nd Fighter Wings Total Force Initiative relationship has resulted in the best maintenance organization in ACC,” said Col. Robert Grey, Jr., 192nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group commander. “We continue to develop strong working relationships and seamless integration between [Air Force] and ANG maintainers,...](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2010/02/192nd-LCAP1-115x115.jpg "Virginia Air National Guard achieves LCAP excellence")
Virginia Air National Guard achieves LCAP excellence
Posted on February 25, 2013 | No CommentsLANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. – Airmen of the 192nd Fighter Wing, a Virginia Air National Guard unit, and 1st Fighter Wing maintenance teams here scored an ‘Excellent’ 91.37 percent in the Air Combat Command Logistics Compliance Assessment Program assessment Feb. 8-13. The LCAP provides leadership with an evaluation of a unit’s ability to perform key logistics processes in a safe, standardized, repeatable and technically compliant manner. “The LCAP inspectors validated what we already knew; the strength of the 1st and 192nd Fighter Wings Total Force Initiative relationship has resulted in the best maintenance organization in ACC,” said Col. Robert Grey, Jr., 192nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group commander. “We continue to develop strong working relationships and seamless integration between [Air Force] and ANG maintainers,... -
Former Adjutant General laid to rest in South Boston
Posted on February 24, 2013 | No CommentsSOUTH BOSTON, Va. — Current and former members of the Virginia National Guard and senior state government officials joined family, friends and the community of South Boston Feb. 21, 2013, in paying final respects to retired Maj. Gen. Carroll Thackston as he was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery will full military honors. Thackston, the Adjutant General of Virginia from July 1994 to September 1998, passed away Feb. 17, 2013, at Lynchburg General Hospital at the age of 79. Former Gov. George Allen presented Thackston’s widow with a Virginia state flag, and Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, presented his widow and three sons with U. S. flags at the burial site. The Virginia... -
Retired Maj. Gen. Carroll Thackston, former Adjutant General of Virginia, passes away at age 79
Posted on February 18, 2013 | 2 CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Retired Maj. Gen. Carroll Thackston, the Adjutant General of Virginia from July 1994 to September 1998, passed away Feb. 17, 2013, at Lynchburg General Hospital at the age of 79. “The Commonwealth has lost a great Virginian,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. “He was a highly respected and admired general officer, and he remained a strong supporter of men and women in uniform in his retirement. Personally, he provided a great deal of advice and support to me since I became the adjutant general. We will miss him, and our thoughts, prayers and sympathies go out to his family.” Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement on the Thackston’s passing.... -
Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program performs at 10,000th funeral
Posted on February 14, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program performed at its 10,000th military funeral on Feb. 13. The program, begun in January 2007, provides funeral details not just to National Guard Soldiers but to veterans of all branches of the military across the state. “I am extremely proud of the great work by the members of the Virginia National Guard Funeral Honors Team and how well they represent the Virginia National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. “I know from talking to them how proud they are a part of honoring the men and women who served before them. I think there is some comfort to the families to know... -
Support missions for 57th Presidential Inauguration help Va. Guard prepare for future operations
Posted on January 27, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — More than 600 Virginia Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 35 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. The support from the Virginia Guard helped maintain the safety and security for the event, but it also helped prepare the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force to be able to anticipate requirements and rapidly respond for future known and no-notice events. “Our support to the inauguration was outstanding,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. “I think anytime you can get Soldiers and Airmen on the ground, working... -
Virginia Guard military police personnel assist with security at 57th Presidential Inauguration
Posted on January 24, 2013 | No CommentsWASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 300 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were sworn in as Washington, D.C., special police and assisted with security operations at the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013. The Soldiers and Airmen, from the Manassas-based 266th Military Police Company, the Virginia Beach-based 229th Military Police Company, the Staunton-based Detachment 1 of the 266th MP Company, the Fredericksburg-based Headquarters Company, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, and the 192nd Security Forces Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, directed traffic and provided assistance to civilians along H and K streets, in the area near the inauguration parade route. “It was a really good experience to be able to do something for my country. I’m proud to be called... -
Virginia Guard Soldiers provide communications capability to inauguration mission
Posted on January 24, 2013 | No CommentsWASHINGTON, D.C. — A team of Virginia National Guard communication experts provided critical digital communications capability to National Guard forces providing security during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 19 – 21 in Washington, D. C. Soldiers from the Sandston-based Joint Force Headquarters Communications Section and the Hampton-based Company C, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team composed the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability team. The JISCC team worked side by side with another JISCC team from the Tennessee Air National Guard to support National Guard units from Florida, Mississippi, Iowa and Pennsylvania in Task Force Access and Task Force Crowd. According to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brent Helmick, the officer-in-charge of the Virginia Guard JISCC, the team... -
Va. Guard chaplains provide service to Guardsmen during Presidential Inauguration
Posted on January 24, 2013 | No CommentsWASHINGTON, D. C. — As Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assisted with security operations for the 57th Presidential Inauguration, Virginia Guard chaplains augmented the District of Columbia National Guard’s chaplain corps by supporting personnel from D.C., Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Virginia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and West Virginia from Jan. 20-21, 2013. The chaplain support teams, consisting of two chaplains and two chaplain assistants, provided religious support, counseling and a network of liaisons to Soldiers and Airmen. “My primary focus is providing religious and counseling support to the service members supporting the inauguration,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Ben Sprouse, of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “I also enjoy visiting with Soldiers and Airmen at their duty locations.” The... -
Infantry Soldiers assist Arlington Police during 57th Presidential Inauguration
Posted on January 24, 2013 | No CommentsARLINGTON, Va. — Approximately 90 Soldiers from the Leesburg-based Company C, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team assisted Arlington County Police with pedestrian traffic flow near the Roosevelt and 14th Street Bridges Jan. 21, 2013, for the 57th Presidential Inauguration. In addition to helping maintain safety and security for one of largest tourist events to take place in the Washington, D. C. area, the mission also provided the unit with valuable training for missions both here in Virginia and overseas. Soldiers from Company C helped make sure that pedestrians leaving Washington, D. C. were able to successfully and safely make their way to public transit locations in Arlington on Inauguration Day, but the work started weeks...