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Are you or a loved one in a crisis and need help? Call 1-800-273-8255 and press '1' for the Military Crisis Line or text to 838255. They are all available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please visit the Suicide Prevention Resources page for more information.
News Releases Archive
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![SANDSTON, Va. — On Veterans Day we celebrate the incredible commitment and sacrifice of all the members of the Armed Forces, both retired and currently serving, for their role in defending the ideals of freedom in peacetime and at war, here at home and all over the world. We all know how dramatically life changed for us after the terrorists […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/06/BG_WILLIAMS-115x115.jpg "Adjutant General’s 2014 Veterans Day Message")
Adjutant General’s 2014 Veterans Day Message
Posted on November 11, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — On Veterans Day we celebrate the incredible commitment and sacrifice of all the members of the Armed Forces, both retired and currently serving, for their role in defending the ideals of freedom in peacetime and at war, here at home and all over the world. We all know how dramatically life changed for us after the terrorists […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. – Command Sgt. Maj. Alan M. Ferris will serve as the new Virginia National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor beginning Dec. 1, 2014, according to an announcement made Oct. 22, 2014, by Brig. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. “Command Sgt. Maj. Ferris will make a great addition to the senior leadership team of the Virginia […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/10/CSM_Ferris-115x115.jpg "Ferris selected as new Virginia National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor")
Ferris selected as new Virginia National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor
Posted on October 22, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. – Command Sgt. Maj. Alan M. Ferris will serve as the new Virginia National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor beginning Dec. 1, 2014, according to an announcement made Oct. 22, 2014, by Brig. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. “Command Sgt. Maj. Ferris will make a great addition to the senior leadership team of the Virginia […] -
![RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Terry McAuliffe signed the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support Sept. 5, 2014, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Va. Joining the governor for the signing were members of the cabinet, state senators and delegates from the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Army and Air National Guard senior leaders as well as […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/09/Governor_ESGR_StatementOfSupport_5sep14_0225-115x115.jpg "Governor signs statement of support for Guard, Reserve")
Governor signs statement of support for Guard, Reserve
Posted on September 10, 2014 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — Governor Terry McAuliffe signed the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support Sept. 5, 2014, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Va. Joining the governor for the signing were members of the cabinet, state senators and delegates from the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Army and Air National Guard senior leaders as well as […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — Col. Walter L. Mercer will be promoted to brigadier general and take command of the Virginia Army National Guard from Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner effective Oct. 1, 2014, according to an announcement made Sept. 3, 2014, by Brig. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Ortner will succeed William R. Phillips, II, as the […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/08/Logo-115x115.png "Mercer to command Va. Army Guard, Ortner named 29th ID deputy commander")
Mercer to command Va. Army Guard, Ortner named 29th ID deputy commander
Posted on September 4, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Col. Walter L. Mercer will be promoted to brigadier general and take command of the Virginia Army National Guard from Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner effective Oct. 1, 2014, according to an announcement made Sept. 3, 2014, by Brig. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Ortner will succeed William R. Phillips, II, as the […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — Retired Marine Corps Col. Justin P. Carlitti, Sr., will succeed Maj. Gen. (Va.) John Taylor as the commander of the Virginia Defense Force, according to an announcement made Aug. 11, 2014, by Brig. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Carlitti currently serves as the chief of staff for the VDF, and Taylor is retiring […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/08/PatchVADF75-115x115.jpg "Carlitti named new commander of Virginia Defense Force")
Carlitti named new commander of Virginia Defense Force
Posted on August 11, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Retired Marine Corps Col. Justin P. Carlitti, Sr., will succeed Maj. Gen. (Va.) John Taylor as the commander of the Virginia Defense Force, according to an announcement made Aug. 11, 2014, by Brig. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Carlitti currently serves as the chief of staff for the VDF, and Taylor is retiring […] -
![WINCHESTER, Va. – Current and former members of the Virginia National Guard’s Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team joined family and friends of Staff Sgt. Craig Cherry and Sgt. Bobby Beasley for a memorial ceremony to commemorate their loss and honor their memory Aug. 1, 2014, at the Winchester readiness center that was named in […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/08/CherryBeasleyMemorial_1aug14_0060-115x115.jpg "Memorial service honors Va. Guard Soldiers killed in action 10 years ago")
Memorial service honors Va. Guard Soldiers killed in action 10 years ago
Posted on August 3, 2014 | No CommentsWINCHESTER, Va. – Current and former members of the Virginia National Guard’s Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team joined family and friends of Staff Sgt. Craig Cherry and Sgt. Bobby Beasley for a memorial ceremony to commemorate their loss and honor their memory Aug. 1, 2014, at the Winchester readiness center that was named in […] -
![FORT A. P. HILL, Va. — Col. William J. Coffin took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. John M. Epperly, the 116th’s commander since June 2012, at a change of command ceremony Aug. 2, 2014, at Fort A. P. Hill, Va. Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, the Virginia National Guard Land Component […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/08/116thIBCT_ChangeOfCommand_2aug14_0078-115x115.jpg "Coffin takes command of Va. Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team")
Coffin takes command of Va. Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Posted on August 2, 2014 | No CommentsFORT A. P. HILL, Va. — Col. William J. Coffin took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. John M. Epperly, the 116th’s commander since June 2012, at a change of command ceremony Aug. 2, 2014, at Fort A. P. Hill, Va. Brig. Gen. Blake C. Ortner, the Virginia National Guard Land Component […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — National Guard Bureau public affairs published a memorandum June 14, 2014, that provides simple, easy-to-follow tips that will help members of the National Guard and their families use social media in their professional and personal lives. The guide is for amplification purposes and does not replace official Department of Defense, service-specific nor state and local command policies. […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/06/NGBLogo-115x115.jpg "National Guard Bureau publishes social media guidance for National Guard members")
National Guard Bureau publishes social media guidance for National Guard members
Posted on June 13, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — National Guard Bureau public affairs published a memorandum June 14, 2014, that provides simple, easy-to-follow tips that will help members of the National Guard and their families use social media in their professional and personal lives. The guide is for amplification purposes and does not replace official Department of Defense, service-specific nor state and local command policies. […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — Col. Timothy P. Williams was sworn in as the new Adjutant General of Virginia by Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson and promoted to brigadier general June 2, 2014, at the Joint Force Headquarters – Virginia in Sandston surround by his wife Cheryl, Governor Terry McAuliffe and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran. […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/06/BGWilliams_SwearingIn-Promotion_2jun14_0052-115x115.jpg "Williams promoted, sworn in as new Adjutant General of Virginia")
Williams promoted, sworn in as new Adjutant General of Virginia
Posted on June 2, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Col. Timothy P. Williams was sworn in as the new Adjutant General of Virginia by Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson and promoted to brigadier general June 2, 2014, at the Joint Force Headquarters – Virginia in Sandston surround by his wife Cheryl, Governor Terry McAuliffe and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran. […] -
New Adjutant General shares command philosophy
Posted on June 2, 2014 | No CommentsI am honored and humbled Governor McAuliffe selected me as the next Adjutant General of Virginia, and I stand ready to serve our Commonwealth and nation. I find it a great privilege to be provided the opportunity to lead this outstanding team, and I think it is important for you to understand “where I’m coming from.” This command philosophy will […] -
![RICHMOND, Va. — The State Department’s Foreign Affairs Security Training Center will be located at Fort Pickett and Nottoway County’s Pickett Park according to news releases from Governor Terry McAuliffe and Senator Tim Kaine published April 17, 2014. Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today in response to the Obama administration’s decision to locate the Foreign Affairs Security Training […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2012/04/vaguardlogo-115x115.jpg "Foreign Affairs Security Training Center to be located at Fort Pickett and Nottoway County’s Pickett Park")
Foreign Affairs Security Training Center to be located at Fort Pickett and Nottoway County’s Pickett Park
Posted on April 18, 2014 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — The State Department’s Foreign Affairs Security Training Center will be located at Fort Pickett and Nottoway County’s Pickett Park according to news releases from Governor Terry McAuliffe and Senator Tim Kaine published April 17, 2014. Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today in response to the Obama administration’s decision to locate the Foreign Affairs Security Training […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs received the 2013 SWaM Achievement Award March 26, 2014, in Sandston in recognition of its support of small, women- and minority-owned businesses. The award, part of the Governor’s 2013 Supplier Diversity Awards, recognizes state agencies that have improved SWaM performance or have the highest percentage of SWaM expenditures over the most […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/03/SWaM-Award-Presentation_26mar14_0016-115x115.jpg "DMA recognized for support of small, women and minority-owned businesses")
DMA recognized for support of small, women and minority-owned businesses
Posted on March 27, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia Department of Military Affairs received the 2013 SWaM Achievement Award March 26, 2014, in Sandston in recognition of its support of small, women- and minority-owned businesses. The award, part of the Governor’s 2013 Supplier Diversity Awards, recognizes state agencies that have improved SWaM performance or have the highest percentage of SWaM expenditures over the most […] -
AG announces new commanders for 116th IBCT, 183rd RTI, IOSC and Fort Pickett and other senior officer moves
Posted on March 13, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, announced a series of senior officer moves March 12, 2014, that include new commanders for the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, the Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center and the Information Operations Support Command. Long also announced the new chief of […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — Approximately 150 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group returned to the United States Feb. 15, 2014, after serving on federal active duty in Afghanistan since June 2013 where they conducted transportation support operations at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Soldiers from the 1710th began serving […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/02/1710thGuidon-115x115.jpg "Va. Guard’s Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company returns to United States after duty in Afghanistan")
Va. Guard’s Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company returns to United States after duty in Afghanistan
Posted on February 16, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Approximately 150 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group returned to the United States Feb. 15, 2014, after serving on federal active duty in Afghanistan since June 2013 where they conducted transportation support operations at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Soldiers from the 1710th began serving […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers provided a variety of assistance Feb. 12-13, 2014, after heavy snow created hazardous road conditions across the commonwealth. Operating from readiness centers along the I-81, I-95, Route 29 and Route 460 corridors, Soldiers working in coordination with the Virginia State Police conducted more than 40 missions assisting and transporting local fire, police and […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2014/02/VaGuardCarPushv2-115x115.jpg "Va. Guard Soldiers provide assistance at locations across the commonwealth")
Va. Guard Soldiers provide assistance at locations across the commonwealth
Posted on February 14, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers provided a variety of assistance Feb. 12-13, 2014, after heavy snow created hazardous road conditions across the commonwealth. Operating from readiness centers along the I-81, I-95, Route 29 and Route 460 corridors, Soldiers working in coordination with the Virginia State Police conducted more than 40 missions assisting and transporting local fire, police and […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 300 Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force on state active duty for possible severe winter weather response operations. The Virginia Guard plans to stage personnel at readiness centers along the I-81 corridor and in the Central Virginia area along Route 29, I-64 and […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/wp-content/themes/arras.1.5.1.1/images/thumbnail.png "Virginia Guard personnel preparing for possible winter weather response operations")
Virginia Guard personnel preparing for possible winter weather response operations
Posted on February 11, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 300 Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force on state active duty for possible severe winter weather response operations. The Virginia Guard plans to stage personnel at readiness centers along the I-81 corridor and in the Central Virginia area along Route 29, I-64 and […] -
Va. Dept. of Military Affairs personnel scheduled to display equipment outside General Assembly building Jan. 15
Posted on January 14, 2014 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — Members of the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will be on hand Jan. 15, 2014, with equipment displays in the Darden Garden outside the Virginia General Assembly Building in Richmond from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to demonstrate some of the capabilities the Virginia Guard and VDF can provide while […] -
2014 National Guard Family Program Volunteer Awards nomination period is now open
Posted on January 3, 2014 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — The 2014 National Guard Family Program Volunteer Awards nomination period is now open, and this is the perfect time to recognize all the outstanding work your volunteers have done for you all year. Their dedication and commitment to helping service members and their Families is truly priceless. Nominations will be submitted no later than January 31, 2014. […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. –The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team will conduct a Training Proficiency Evaluation Dec. 3-6, 2013, supervised by U. S. Army North’s Civil Support Readiness Group-East to validate their level of readiness. The mission of the 34th CST is to support first responders in potential biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological and explosive incidents. The 34th CST […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2013/12/34thCST_May2012_EXEVAL-115x115.jpg "Va. Guard’s 34th Civil Support Team to conduct training evaluation")
Va. Guard’s 34th Civil Support Team to conduct training evaluation
Posted on December 3, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. –The Virginia National Guard’s Fort Pickett-based 34th Civil Support Team will conduct a Training Proficiency Evaluation Dec. 3-6, 2013, supervised by U. S. Army North’s Civil Support Readiness Group-East to validate their level of readiness. The mission of the 34th CST is to support first responders in potential biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological and explosive incidents. The 34th CST […] -
![SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group has received a mobilization order to enter federal active service for duty in Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to an announcement made Nov. 7, 2013, by Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. Approximately 70 […]](http://vaguard.dodlive.mil/files/2013/11/529th_GO_visit1-115x115.jpg "Virginia Beach-based 529th CSSB ordered to mobilize for federal active duty in June 2014")
Virginia Beach-based 529th CSSB ordered to mobilize for federal active duty in June 2014
Posted on November 7, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group has received a mobilization order to enter federal active service for duty in Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to an announcement made Nov. 7, 2013, by Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. Approximately 70 […]