Army Guard Archive

  • SANDSTON, 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...

    Support missions for 57th Presidential Inauguration help Va. Guard prepare for future operations

    Posted on January 27, 2013 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, 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...

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  • FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division, the unit that once stormed the beaches of Normandy, today tackled a different objective: training to deter possible assaults on a Presidential Inauguration and responding to catastrophic disasters during a four-day civil support exercise held Jan. 21-23, 2013 at Fort Belvoir. “I am continually impressed by the Soldiers and officers of the 29th Infantry Division,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Whittington, commander of the 29th ID. “This exercise helps us prepare for any domestic emergencies that require support of local, state or federal agencies. We have rehearsed possible criminal attempts to disrupt the Presidential Inauguration along with natural disaster contingencies.” Beginning Oct. 1, 2013, the 29th Infantry Division will be the main...

    Soldiers from the 29th Infantry Division conduct civil support exercise during annual training

    Posted on January 25, 2013 | No Comments
    FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division, the unit that once stormed the beaches of Normandy, today tackled a different objective: training to deter possible assaults on a Presidential Inauguration and responding to catastrophic disasters during a four-day civil support exercise held Jan. 21-23, 2013 at Fort Belvoir. “I am continually impressed by the Soldiers and officers of the 29th Infantry Division,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Whittington, commander of the 29th ID. “This exercise helps us prepare for any domestic emergencies that require support of local, state or federal agencies. We have rehearsed possible criminal attempts to disrupt the Presidential Inauguration along with natural disaster contingencies.” Beginning Oct. 1, 2013, the 29th Infantry Division will be the main...

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  • WASHINGTON, 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 military police personnel assist with security at 57th Presidential Inauguration

    Posted on January 24, 2013 | No Comments
    WASHINGTON, 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...

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  • WASHINGTON, 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...

    Virginia Guard Soldiers provide communications capability to inauguration mission

    Posted on January 24, 2013 | No Comments
    WASHINGTON, 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...

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  •   WASHINGTON, 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...

    Va. Guard chaplains provide service to Guardsmen during Presidential Inauguration

    Posted on January 24, 2013 | No Comments
      WASHINGTON, 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...

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  • ARLINGTON, 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...

    Infantry Soldiers assist Arlington Police during 57th Presidential Inauguration

    Posted on January 24, 2013 | No Comments
    ARLINGTON, 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...

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  • To The State Public Safety Team: Congratulations to all on a job well done. I know that a great deal of time, energy and resources went into the Inauguration – preparing operations plans, executing the mission, and bringing everyone home safely. We truly appreciate the tremendous job done representing the Commonwealth. The professionalism and commitment demonstrated by Virginia’s public safety personnel was exceptional. I greatly appreciate the time and effort expended to train and direct your teams in a way that made things run so smoothly. Virginia is unique in the role we are called upon to play when national events occur. As I saw first-hand this weekend, like I have seen time and time again, our State Police, National...

    Public Safety Secretary thanks state public safety team

    Posted on January 23, 2013 | No Comments
    To The State Public Safety Team: Congratulations to all on a job well done. I know that a great deal of time, energy and resources went into the Inauguration – preparing operations plans, executing the mission, and bringing everyone home safely. We truly appreciate the tremendous job done representing the Commonwealth. The professionalism and commitment demonstrated by Virginia’s public safety personnel was exceptional. I greatly appreciate the time and effort expended to train and direct your teams in a way that made things run so smoothly. Virginia is unique in the role we are called upon to play when national events occur. As I saw first-hand this weekend, like I have seen time and time again, our State Police, National...

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  • FORT BELVOIR, Va. – More than 300 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were sworn in Jan. 19, 2013, as Washington, D. C. special police to assist with security operations for the 57th Presidential Inauguration. About 600 Virginia Guard personnel will join a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 25 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. Virginia Guard personnel will assist with traffic control, crowd management, communications and chaplain support, and an additional 100 personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will conduct mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state. View more...

    Virginia Guard personnel from units in Manassas, Virginia Beach, Fredericksburg and Staunton sworn in as special police for 57th Presidential Inauguration

    Posted on January 19, 2013 | 1 Comment
    FORT BELVOIR, Va. – More than 300 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were sworn in Jan. 19, 2013, as Washington, D. C. special police to assist with security operations for the 57th Presidential Inauguration. About 600 Virginia Guard personnel will join a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 25 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. Virginia Guard personnel will assist with traffic control, crowd management, communications and chaplain support, and an additional 100 personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will conduct mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state. View more...

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  •   SANDSTON, Va. – More than 600 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will join a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 25 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. Virginia Guard personnel will assist with traffic control, crowd management, communications and chaplain support, and an additional 100 personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will conduct mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state. “Support to federal, state and local agencies is a routine mission for the Virginia National Guard when our forces are not employed in overseas operations,” said Col. James Ring,...

    Virginia Guard personnel from units in Manassas, Virginia Beach, Leesburg, Fredericksburg, Staunton and Sandston to support 57th Presidential Inauguration

    Posted on January 18, 2013 | No Comments
      SANDSTON, Va. – More than 600 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will join a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 25 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. Virginia Guard personnel will assist with traffic control, crowd management, communications and chaplain support, and an additional 100 personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will conduct mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state. “Support to federal, state and local agencies is a routine mission for the Virginia National Guard when our forces are not employed in overseas operations,” said Col. James Ring,...

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  • RICHMOND, Va. — Members of the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will be on hand Jan. 15, 2013, 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 Guard and VDF can provide while on state active duty. Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long. Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, will host a reception for members of the General Assembly from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the 5th Floor West Conference Room in the General Assembly Building. Senior Virginia Guard leaders will be in attendance to answer questions and provide insights into the missions and capabilities...

    Virginia Guard personnel scheduled to display equipment outside General Assembly building Jan. 15

    Posted on January 14, 2013 | No Comments
    RICHMOND, Va. — Members of the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will be on hand Jan. 15, 2013, 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 Guard and VDF can provide while on state active duty. Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long. Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, will host a reception for members of the General Assembly from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the 5th Floor West Conference Room in the General Assembly Building. Senior Virginia Guard leaders will be in attendance to answer questions and provide insights into the missions and capabilities...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. – Virginia National Guard Soldiers have an easier way to translate their military driving skills into civilian credentials thanks to a program called Troops to Trucks that’s helped several Soldiers find employment. In 2012, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles started the program, which simplifies the process of obtaining a commercial driver’s license for those military members with adequate driving experience gained through the military. “One of my Soldiers was able to get a job about three weeks later,” Capt. William Angle, commander of Company A, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said. “He’s recently back from deployment and needed worked. He’s an experienced truck driver but didn’t have a CDL. He got the waiver,...

    Va. Guard Soldiers earn civilian credit for military experience

    Posted on January 11, 2013 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. – Virginia National Guard Soldiers have an easier way to translate their military driving skills into civilian credentials thanks to a program called Troops to Trucks that’s helped several Soldiers find employment. In 2012, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles started the program, which simplifies the process of obtaining a commercial driver’s license for those military members with adequate driving experience gained through the military. “One of my Soldiers was able to get a job about three weeks later,” Capt. William Angle, commander of Company A, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said. “He’s recently back from deployment and needed worked. He’s an experienced truck driver but didn’t have a CDL. He got the waiver,...

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  • RICHMOND, Va. — During the 2013 State of the Commonwealth Address delivered at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond Jan. 9, 2013, Governor Bob McDonnell recognized the Virginia National Guard for accomplishments during the year. “We don’t have to look far for inspiration from our brave and caring people,” McDonnell said in the address. “On the rain-soaked night of October 30th as Hurricane Sandy’s waters rose swiftly in Accomack County, Virginia National Guard Soldiers trudged through high water to clear a path to transport seven adults and a child out of harm’s way. Another rescue required Guardsmen to carry a citizen 200 yards through chest-high water to safety. Virginia Guard personnel rescued 42 citizens during Hurricane Sandy.” McDonnell recognized 1st...

    Governor recognizes Va. Guard during State of the Commonwealth Address

    Posted on January 10, 2013 | No Comments
    RICHMOND, Va. — During the 2013 State of the Commonwealth Address delivered at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond Jan. 9, 2013, Governor Bob McDonnell recognized the Virginia National Guard for accomplishments during the year. “We don’t have to look far for inspiration from our brave and caring people,” McDonnell said in the address. “On the rain-soaked night of October 30th as Hurricane Sandy’s waters rose swiftly in Accomack County, Virginia National Guard Soldiers trudged through high water to clear a path to transport seven adults and a child out of harm’s way. Another rescue required Guardsmen to carry a citizen 200 yards through chest-high water to safety. Virginia Guard personnel rescued 42 citizens during Hurricane Sandy.” McDonnell recognized 1st...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. – With upwards of three feet of snow covering the ground at home, approximately 1,500 Canadian Army reservists forming Task Force Phoenix descended upon Fort Pickett Jan. 2 to escape the sub-zero temperatures and to conduct a four-day collective training event, called Exercise Noble Guerrier (Noble Warrior) 13. The task force brought together Soldiers from 20 different units from across Quebec, all from the Montreal-based 34th Canadian Brigade Group and the Quebec City-based 35th Canadian Brigade Group. Exercise Noble Warrior is a culminating training event for the reservists, designed to validate and test the skills learned and sharpened over the fall months, during which the soldiers came together for eight days, over four weekends, to train collectively....

    Exercise Noble Warrior brings Canadian reservists to Fort Pickett

    Posted on January 10, 2013 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. – With upwards of three feet of snow covering the ground at home, approximately 1,500 Canadian Army reservists forming Task Force Phoenix descended upon Fort Pickett Jan. 2 to escape the sub-zero temperatures and to conduct a four-day collective training event, called Exercise Noble Guerrier (Noble Warrior) 13. The task force brought together Soldiers from 20 different units from across Quebec, all from the Montreal-based 34th Canadian Brigade Group and the Quebec City-based 35th Canadian Brigade Group. Exercise Noble Warrior is a culminating training event for the reservists, designed to validate and test the skills learned and sharpened over the fall months, during which the soldiers came together for eight days, over four weekends, to train collectively....

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — More than 1,500 Canadian Army reservists from the 34th and 35th Canadian Brigade Groups are taking part in Exercise Noble Guerrier 13 (Noble Warrior) at Fort Pickett from Jan. 2 – 9, 2013 to validate months of training. A combination of infantry, artillery, armored, engineer and support units will test their skills against a simulated opposing force during a four-day battle. Throughout the fall, these Canadian soldiers have trained on weekends to reinforce their knowledge, technique and capacity to work in platoon size up to company level. FOR THE NEWS MEDIA: Reporters and photographers are invited to cover the final day of the field training exercise Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Journalists would need to arrive at...

    Canadian Army reservists to take part in a large scale exercise at Fort Pickett

    Posted on January 4, 2013 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — More than 1,500 Canadian Army reservists from the 34th and 35th Canadian Brigade Groups are taking part in Exercise Noble Guerrier 13 (Noble Warrior) at Fort Pickett from Jan. 2 – 9, 2013 to validate months of training. A combination of infantry, artillery, armored, engineer and support units will test their skills against a simulated opposing force during a four-day battle. Throughout the fall, these Canadian soldiers have trained on weekends to reinforce their knowledge, technique and capacity to work in platoon size up to company level. FOR THE NEWS MEDIA: Reporters and photographers are invited to cover the final day of the field training exercise Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Journalists would need to arrive at...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has established the Virginia National Guard Employers Network on Linked In, a career opportunity and assistance networking group. You can join the group by visiting the following link: http://ow.ly/g64qY According to the group’s introduction message, “This is the virtual place to meet, interact and share ideas respectfully with current and former members of the Virginia National Guard, their spouses, and employers desiring the many benefits provided by employees with military experience. We are an all-volunteer group with the planning, programming, and presentations conducted by volunteers and members.” The group is open to current members of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard and their spouses seeking career employment and can help them gain...

    Virginia National Guard establishes Linked In group for employment resources

    Posted on December 14, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has established the Virginia National Guard Employers Network on Linked In, a career opportunity and assistance networking group. You can join the group by visiting the following link: http://ow.ly/g64qY According to the group’s introduction message, “This is the virtual place to meet, interact and share ideas respectfully with current and former members of the Virginia National Guard, their spouses, and employers desiring the many benefits provided by employees with military experience. We are an all-volunteer group with the planning, programming, and presentations conducted by volunteers and members.” The group is open to current members of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard and their spouses seeking career employment and can help them gain...

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  • FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Bowling Green-based 189th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion provided the latest in military mobile bridging technology in support of Civil War reenactors during the observation of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg Dec. 8, 2012. Members of the Virginia Defense Force also supported the event with traffic control and visitor assistance, and the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided a color guard and howitzer for the weekend’s final events Dec. 9. “This is a great training opportunity for the Soldiers of the 189th to be able to assemble the bridge on a flowing river,” said 1st Lt. Marianne E. Heldmann, commander of the 189th. “This mission also required coordination...

    Va. Guard and VDF support 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg

    Posted on December 13, 2012 | No Comments
    FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Bowling Green-based 189th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion provided the latest in military mobile bridging technology in support of Civil War reenactors during the observation of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg Dec. 8, 2012. Members of the Virginia Defense Force also supported the event with traffic control and visitor assistance, and the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided a color guard and howitzer for the weekend’s final events Dec. 9. “This is a great training opportunity for the Soldiers of the 189th to be able to assemble the bridge on a flowing river,” said 1st Lt. Marianne E. Heldmann, commander of the 189th. “This mission also required coordination...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. – Representatives from various Virginia National Guard units, sections and facilities from across the commonwealth gathered Dec. 4 at Fort Pickett for the Virginia Guard’s first Internal Sustainability Workshop. The workshop aimed to introduce participants to the various directives and goals associated with sustainability and to focus on the recycling efforts of the Virginia National Guard. “The recycling program is our first step toward formalizing our agency efforts in support of the overall long-range sustainability program goals and objectives,” explained Col. Marie M. Mahoney, recycling team leader and deputy director for the Virginia Guard’s United States Property and Fiscal Office. “Building a successful agency wide recycling program will serve as the initial building block toward institutionalizing sustainability...

    Va. Guard works to improve sustainability efforts

    Posted on December 11, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. – Representatives from various Virginia National Guard units, sections and facilities from across the commonwealth gathered Dec. 4 at Fort Pickett for the Virginia Guard’s first Internal Sustainability Workshop. The workshop aimed to introduce participants to the various directives and goals associated with sustainability and to focus on the recycling efforts of the Virginia National Guard. “The recycling program is our first step toward formalizing our agency efforts in support of the overall long-range sustainability program goals and objectives,” explained Col. Marie M. Mahoney, recycling team leader and deputy director for the Virginia Guard’s United States Property and Fiscal Office. “Building a successful agency wide recycling program will serve as the initial building block toward institutionalizing sustainability...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. – After supporting the Texas National Guard by providing aerial reconnaissance support to deter illegal immigration along the Southwest Border, the final Virginia National Guard air crew, comprised of both pilots and maintainers, returned to Virginia Dec. 6, 2012. Seventeen Soldiers from the Sandston-based Detachment 1, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment served 30-60 day rotations along the Texas border in support of Customs and Border Patrol agents, beginning Aug. 27 when the first crew headed for Texas aboard one of the Virginia Guard’s UH-72 Lakota helicopters. During their time along the Southwest Border, Virginia Guard Soldiers were directly involved in the apprehension of more that 1,800 illegal immigrants, to include human traffickers and narcotics smugglers. They...

    Last Virginia Guard air crew returns from Southwest Border mission

    Posted on December 11, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. – After supporting the Texas National Guard by providing aerial reconnaissance support to deter illegal immigration along the Southwest Border, the final Virginia National Guard air crew, comprised of both pilots and maintainers, returned to Virginia Dec. 6, 2012. Seventeen Soldiers from the Sandston-based Detachment 1, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment served 30-60 day rotations along the Texas border in support of Customs and Border Patrol agents, beginning Aug. 27 when the first crew headed for Texas aboard one of the Virginia Guard’s UH-72 Lakota helicopters. During their time along the Southwest Border, Virginia Guard Soldiers were directly involved in the apprehension of more that 1,800 illegal immigrants, to include human traffickers and narcotics smugglers. They...

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  • RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Bob McDonnell ceremonially signed a proclamation designating December as “Virginia National Guard Appreciation and Recognition Month” in the Commonwealth of Virginia Dec. 7, 2012, at a ceremony in Richmond. Governor McDonnell was joined by Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker and Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, in recognizing members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force. “This proclamation, in a small way, recognizes the incredible sacrifice and service of the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force,” McDonnell said. “For the first time since 9/11 all Virginia Army Guard and Air Guard units are home with their families and loved ones for the holidays. Time and...

    Governor McDonnell signs proclamation declaring December as “Virginia National Guard Appreciation and Recognition Month”

    Posted on December 7, 2012 | No Comments
    RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Bob McDonnell ceremonially signed a proclamation designating December as “Virginia National Guard Appreciation and Recognition Month” in the Commonwealth of Virginia Dec. 7, 2012, at a ceremony in Richmond. Governor McDonnell was joined by Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker and Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, in recognizing members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force. “This proclamation, in a small way, recognizes the incredible sacrifice and service of the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force,” McDonnell said. “For the first time since 9/11 all Virginia Army Guard and Air Guard units are home with their families and loved ones for the holidays. Time and...

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  • BOWLING GREEN, Va. — Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Bowling Green-based 189th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion will provide the latest in military mobile bridging technology in support of Civil War re-enactors during the observation of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg scheduled for Dec. 8, 2012. Members of the Virginia Defense Force will also support the event with traffic control and visitor assistance. “This is a great training opportunity for the Soldiers of the 189th to be able to assemble the bridge on a flowing river,” said 1st Lt. Marianne E. Heldmann, commander of the 189th. “This mission also required coordination with multiple civilian agencies which is what we do when we are on state active...

    Va. Guard engineers and VDF to support 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg

    Posted on December 5, 2012 | No Comments
    BOWLING GREEN, Va. — Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Bowling Green-based 189th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion will provide the latest in military mobile bridging technology in support of Civil War re-enactors during the observation of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg scheduled for Dec. 8, 2012. Members of the Virginia Defense Force will also support the event with traffic control and visitor assistance. “This is a great training opportunity for the Soldiers of the 189th to be able to assemble the bridge on a flowing river,” said 1st Lt. Marianne E. Heldmann, commander of the 189th. “This mission also required coordination with multiple civilian agencies which is what we do when we are on state active...

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