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29th Infantry Division Archive
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Virginia National Guard works with Tajikistan’s Peacekeeping Operations Battalion on infantry and medical tactics
Posted on November 30, 2012 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard participated in missions to Tajikistan from Nov. 3-16, 2012, where they conducted an exchange in infantry tactics and medical support procedures with the Tajikistan Peacekeeping Operations Battalion in preparation for future United Nations missions. Lt. Col. Michael Renforth of the 192nd Medical Group led the Medical Exchange, while 1st Lt. David Worley of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team led the Infantry Tactical Exchange. The teams consisted of Soldiers and Airmen from Joint Force Headquarters; 192nd Medical Group; Virginia Army National Guard Medical Command; Intel and Sustainment Company, 29th Infantry Division; Companies B and C, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion,... -
Va. Guard’s 29th Division Band to play for Capitol Tree Lighting
Posted on November 27, 2012 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Clifton Forge-based 29th Division Band will provide holiday music for the 2012 Capitol Tree Lighting and Tribute to Our Military scheduled for Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at 5 p.m. at the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol. Governor Bob McDonnell and Mrs. McDonnell will host the event, and the public is invited to attend. The entire band will play for the tree lighting, then divide up into small groups to play inside the Executive Mansion and showcase the talent in the band during an Open House, explained Sgt. First Class Richard A. Carr Jr., readiness noncommissioned officer for the 29th Division Band. “This is the first time the band has performed at... -
Virginia Guard marksman selected for All-Guard Marksmanship Team
Posted on November 17, 2012 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. – Virginia Guardsman Spc. Steven Fletcher, of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, honed his marksmanship skills early. “I have grown up hunting and shooting, and have always enjoyed it,” Fletcher said. Now, Fletcher holds a coveted spot on the All-Guard Marksmanship Team, shooting on both the combat and pistol teams. It all started when Fletcher, originally from Warrenton and currently residing in Culpeper, signed up to compete in his unit’s marksmanship competition, held earlier this year over the unit’s annual training period. The top four shooters from that competition, which included Fletcher, formed a team and represented their unit at the state level competition, held in June at Fort Pickett, Va. Again, Fletcher earned a top spot... -
Virginia Guard marksman selected for All-Guard Marksmanship Team
Posted on November 16, 2012 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. – Virginia Guardsman Spc. Steven Fletcher, of the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, honed his marksmanship skills early. “I have grown up hunting and shooting, and have always enjoyed it,” Fletcher said. Now, Fletcher holds a coveted spot on the All-Guard Marksmanship Team, shooting on both the combat and pistol teams. It all started when Fletcher, originally from Warrenton and currently residing in Culpeper, signed up to compete in his unit’s marksmanship competition, held earlier this year over the unit’s annual training period. The top four shooters from that competition, which included Fletcher, formed a team and represented their unit at the state level competition, held in June at Fort Pickett, Va. Again, Fletcher earned a top spot... -
New commander takes charge of 29th Infantry Division
Posted on October 12, 2012 | No CommentsFORT BELVOIR, Va. — Maj. Gen. Frank E. Batts, outgoing commander of the 29th Infantry Division, passed the colors symbolizing the transfer of command authority to Lt. Gen. J. Michael Bednarek, Commanding General of the First United States Army, who then passed the guidon and colors to Maj. Gen. Charles W. Whittington Jr., incoming commander of the 29th Infantry Division during a change of command ceremony Oct. 7, 2012 at Fort Belvoir. In a speech to the division, including members of the 29th Infantry Division Association, Bednarek praised the 29th. “We have superior senior leadership in the present this afternoon;, and I want to recognize the warriors in this theater,” said Bednarek to a full house. “Since 9/11 the 29th... -
Virginia Guard communication professionals work with Tajikistan Peacekeeping Operations Battalion
Posted on September 30, 2012 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Soldiers of the Virginia Army National Guard completed a three-week mission to Tajikistan Sept. 12, 2012, where they helped prepare the Peacekeeping Operations Battalion for a future United Nations mission. Led by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Edgar Marquis of Headquarters Company, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the team consisted of communications professionals from Company C, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, and the Signal Company, 29th Infantry Division. The Virginia Guard team also worked with the Tajik platoon that participated in the STEPPE EAGLE 2012 in Kazakhstan, a military exercise aimed at the interoperability of international forces. While Tajikistan has sent observers in the past, this is the first time that Tajikistan has sent an actual unit to participate... -
Freedom Salute honors returning 29th ID Soldiers
Posted on September 17, 2012 | No CommentsFORT BELVOIR, Va. — A Freedom Salute was held Sept. 16 on Fort Belvoir, Va., to formally welcome home the approximately 30 Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division who recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan. The Soldiers were assigned to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Afghan National Security Force Development Team and served as advisors and mentors to senior Afghan leaders. The Freedom Salute honored the Soldiers as well as their families for their support and sacrifice during the deployment. Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, the Adjutant General of Virginia, Maj. Gen. Frank E. Batts, commanding general of the 29th Infantry Division, and Brig. Gen. Charles Whittington, Jr., 29th Infantry Division deputy commanding general and ANSF-DEV Director, shook hands and presented Soldiers and spouses with commemorative items as small tokens of gratitude... -
29th Infantry Division Annual Training culminates with Defense Support to Civil Authorities exercise
Posted on June 30, 2012 | No CommentsFort A.P. Hill, Va. – Soldiers from the 29th Infantry Division finished annual training this year with a strong focus on Defense Support to Civil Authorities by staging a simulated exercise centered on security for the upcoming 57th Presidential Inauguration in January 2013. “We haven’t been tasked with this mission, but I want to make sure the 29th Infantry Division staff is ready if called upon,” said Col. Eric Barr, 29th ID chief of staff. “Our Soldiers have spent a great deal of time preparing for this exercise and it has really paid off.” All sections of the division staff had a role in the exercise including the Command and Special Staff. “It really makes a huge impact when... -
Whittington named new commander of the 29th Infantry Division
Posted on June 22, 2012 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Brig. Gen. Charles W. Whittington, Jr. has been named as the new commander of the Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division, according to an announcement made by Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. Whittington will succeed Maj. Gen. Frank E. Batts, Sr., as the commander of the division in October of this year. “Brig. Gen. Whittington is an excellent general officer and outstanding leader,” Long said. “We are very proud of him and look forward to having him serve as the division commander. I am confident he will lead the division through the many challenging times that lay ahead and ensure the organization will be ready, reliable and rapidly responding... -
29th ID veterans, commander lay wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Posted on May 16, 2012 | No CommentsARLINGTON, Va. — Members of the 29th Division Association, based in Frederick, Md., were joined by Maj. Gen. Frank E. Batts, commander of the 29th Infantry Division based at Fort Belvoir, Va., for their annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery May 13. Batts and veterans of the 29th Infantry Division gathered at the Spates Community Club & Conference Center on Fort Myer, Va., for a luncheon prior to the ceremony. During the luncheon, attendees were addressed by Batts and four of the association’s World War II veterans. After being introduced by Ivan Dooley, national commander of the association, Batts said he was honored to be invited to participate in the occasion and... -
29th ID honors Women’s History Month
Posted on March 5, 2012 | No CommentsFORT BELVOIR, Va. — In honor of Women’s History Month, the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division invited a diverse panel of female Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers to share their experiences March 3 about what it’s like to serve as a woman in the military. This training was sponsored by the Virginia National Guard Equal Opportunity Office and is only one part of a series of efforts to increase awareness of diversity within the National Guard and honor those who have paved the way for minority groups in the military. A remarkable 25 percent of the 29th ID are women, compared to the 16 percent that make up the Virginia National Guard as a whole. Commanding General of the 29th...