News Releases Archive

  •   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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  • 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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  •   WINCHESTER, Va. – Lt. Col. Erik Gordon took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team from Lt. Col. Paul Gilman in a change of command ceremony held Dec. 1, 2012, at the Cherry-Beasley Readiness Center. Gilman assumed command of 3rd Battalion in May 2010 after serving as commander of the Fort Pickett-based 1st Battalion, 183d Regional Training Institute beginning in August 2009. He earned his commission through ROTC at the University of Virginia, where he graduated in 1991. He began his military career as an engineer officer and served in the 229th Engineer Battalion as a platoon leader, executive officer, company commander and battalion operations officer. He transitioned to infantry...

    Change of command ceremony held for Winchester-based Virginia Guard infantry battalion

    Posted on December 1, 2012 | No Comments
      WINCHESTER, Va. – Lt. Col. Erik Gordon took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team from Lt. Col. Paul Gilman in a change of command ceremony held Dec. 1, 2012, at the Cherry-Beasley Readiness Center. Gilman assumed command of 3rd Battalion in May 2010 after serving as commander of the Fort Pickett-based 1st Battalion, 183d Regional Training Institute beginning in August 2009. He earned his commission through ROTC at the University of Virginia, where he graduated in 1991. He began his military career as an engineer officer and served in the 229th Engineer Battalion as a platoon leader, executive officer, company commander and battalion operations officer. He transitioned to infantry...

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  • RICHMOND, 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...

    Va. Guard’s 29th Division Band to play for Capitol Tree Lighting

    Posted on November 27, 2012 | No Comments
    RICHMOND, 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...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard returned to normal operations Nov. 1, 2012, and all personnel on state active duty supporting Hurricane Sandy recovery operations were released from duty and returned to their home stations. Guard personnel began assisting Virginia State Police and local emergency response organizations late in the day Oct. 29 at numerous locations across Virginia, and at the height of operations had approximately 670 personnel working across the commonwealth. During that time they transported 42 civilians to safety, conducted almost 60 reconnaissance patrols to assess damage and report on route trafficability and performed 10 debris reduction missions. “Law enforcement personnel and the Virginia National Guard were the unsung heroes of the Hurricane Sandy response,” said Governor...

    Virginia Guard completes Hurricane Sandy response operations

    Posted on November 1, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard returned to normal operations Nov. 1, 2012, and all personnel on state active duty supporting Hurricane Sandy recovery operations were released from duty and returned to their home stations. Guard personnel began assisting Virginia State Police and local emergency response organizations late in the day Oct. 29 at numerous locations across Virginia, and at the height of operations had approximately 670 personnel working across the commonwealth. During that time they transported 42 civilians to safety, conducted almost 60 reconnaissance patrols to assess damage and report on route trafficability and performed 10 debris reduction missions. “Law enforcement personnel and the Virginia National Guard were the unsung heroes of the Hurricane Sandy response,” said Governor...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — Most Virginia National Guard personnel on state active in support of Hurricane Sandy support operations have moved into the recovery phase as of late afternoon Oct. 31, and the only personnel still actively engaged in missions are operating in the Eastern Shore area. By the end of the day, the Virginia Guard expects to have approximately 75 personnel still on duty, and all other personnel will be released. Most of those are staged out of the Onancock readiness center and supporting local emergency response organizations, and the other personnel are on duty at the Joint Operations Center in Sandston and supporting sustainment operations out of Fort Pickett. Virginia Guard aviators from the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation...

    Va. Guard standing down most hurricane recovery operations through the state

    Posted on October 31, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — Most Virginia National Guard personnel on state active in support of Hurricane Sandy support operations have moved into the recovery phase as of late afternoon Oct. 31, and the only personnel still actively engaged in missions are operating in the Eastern Shore area. By the end of the day, the Virginia Guard expects to have approximately 75 personnel still on duty, and all other personnel will be released. Most of those are staged out of the Onancock readiness center and supporting local emergency response organizations, and the other personnel are on duty at the Joint Operations Center in Sandston and supporting sustainment operations out of Fort Pickett. Virginia Guard aviators from the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation...

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  • ONANCOCK, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers trudged through high water and cut trees to clear a path for two rescue missions that transported seven adults and one child to safety at two locations on Cattail Road in the Mears, Va. area Oct. 30. The rescue mission took place one day after another high water transport required carrying a citizen who was unable to walk more than 200 yards through chest-high water. “I was very pleased to see our Soldiers cautiously working their way through high water and being mindful of downed power lines, but also aggressively and safely clearing a path to rescue these citizens in need,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Green, senior enlisted leader of the Virginia...

    Virginia Guard Soldiers rescue stranded citizens in the Eastern Shore area

    Posted on October 30, 2012 | No Comments
    ONANCOCK, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers trudged through high water and cut trees to clear a path for two rescue missions that transported seven adults and one child to safety at two locations on Cattail Road in the Mears, Va. area Oct. 30. The rescue mission took place one day after another high water transport required carrying a citizen who was unable to walk more than 200 yards through chest-high water. “I was very pleased to see our Soldiers cautiously working their way through high water and being mindful of downed power lines, but also aggressively and safely clearing a path to rescue these citizens in need,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Green, senior enlisted leader of the Virginia...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 300 personnel on state active duty for possible severe weather recovery operations from Hurricane Sandy. The Virginia Guard will begin staging approximately 50 Army Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel in the Eastern Shore area in order to be ready to support potential response missions, and all personnel are scheduled to be in place by Saturday evening. Additional personnel have been alerted for possible duty and will be held in reserve for possible future missions. About 50 Virginia Army Guard, Air Guard and VDF personnel are also on duty in Sandston at the Guard’s Joint Operations Center for mission command and sustainment support as well as...

    Virginia Guard personnel preparing for possible Hurricane Sandy recovery operations

    Posted on October 26, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 300 personnel on state active duty for possible severe weather recovery operations from Hurricane Sandy. The Virginia Guard will begin staging approximately 50 Army Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel in the Eastern Shore area in order to be ready to support potential response missions, and all personnel are scheduled to be in place by Saturday evening. Additional personnel have been alerted for possible duty and will be held in reserve for possible future missions. About 50 Virginia Army Guard, Air Guard and VDF personnel are also on duty in Sandston at the Guard’s Joint Operations Center for mission command and sustainment support as well as...

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  • LEESBURG, VA – Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Leesburg-based Company C, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided a color guard and fired a 21-gun salute in support of a dedication ceremony for a memorial to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars Oct. 13, 2012, in Leesburg. The Loudoun County War Memorial Trust Fund Committee held the ceremony for the new memorial located on the eastern monument on south lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse. Col. John Epperly, commander of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, provided remarks honoring the fallen Soldiers and Marine, and Veterans of Foreign War Loudoun County Post 1177 laid wreaths and unveiled the names on the memorial. “The Leesburg and Loudoun...

    Virginia Guard supports dedication ceremony for Loudoun County memorial to Iraq and Afghanistan wars

    Posted on October 13, 2012 | No Comments
    LEESBURG, VA – Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Leesburg-based Company C, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided a color guard and fired a 21-gun salute in support of a dedication ceremony for a memorial to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars Oct. 13, 2012, in Leesburg. The Loudoun County War Memorial Trust Fund Committee held the ceremony for the new memorial located on the eastern monument on south lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse. Col. John Epperly, commander of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, provided remarks honoring the fallen Soldiers and Marine, and Veterans of Foreign War Loudoun County Post 1177 laid wreaths and unveiled the names on the memorial. “The Leesburg and Loudoun...

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  • EMPORIA, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group has received a mobilization order to enter federal active duty beginning April 1, 2013, according to an announcement made Aug. 13, 2012, by Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. Long said that approximately 160 Soldiers are scheduled to conduct mobilization training for about 45 to 60 days at Fort Hood, Texas, then deploy to Afghanistan where they are expected to perform the mission of transportation support operations. The mobilization is planned to last 12 months. FOR THE NEWS MEDIA: Soldiers from the 1710th are currently conducting annual training at Fort Pickett and will be available for interviews at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14. Please RSVP to...

    Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company ordered to federal active duty in April 2013

    Posted on August 13, 2012 | No Comments
    EMPORIA, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Emporia-based 1710th Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group has received a mobilization order to enter federal active duty beginning April 1, 2013, according to an announcement made Aug. 13, 2012, by Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. Long said that approximately 160 Soldiers are scheduled to conduct mobilization training for about 45 to 60 days at Fort Hood, Texas, then deploy to Afghanistan where they are expected to perform the mission of transportation support operations. The mobilization is planned to last 12 months. FOR THE NEWS MEDIA: Soldiers from the 1710th are currently conducting annual training at Fort Pickett and will be available for interviews at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14. Please RSVP to...

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  • FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Approximately 30 Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned to Virginia July 14 after serving on federal active duty in Afghanistan since November 2011. The Soldiers returned July 7 to their demobilization station at Camp Shelby, Miss., where they conducted health screenings and other administrative tasks to transition from active duty back to National Guard status and returned to airports across Virginia that were closest to their home of record. Approximately 35 Soldiers from the Maryland National Guard also took part in the mission. A formal ceremony recognizing their service will take place in about 90 days. The Soldiers were assigned to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Afghan National Security Force Development Team where they served...

    29th ID Soldiers return to Virginia after federal duty in Afghanistan

    Posted on July 14, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Approximately 30 Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division returned to Virginia July 14 after serving on federal active duty in Afghanistan since November 2011. The Soldiers returned July 7 to their demobilization station at Camp Shelby, Miss., where they conducted health screenings and other administrative tasks to transition from active duty back to National Guard status and returned to airports across Virginia that were closest to their home of record. Approximately 35 Soldiers from the Maryland National Guard also took part in the mission. A formal ceremony recognizing their service will take place in about 90 days. The Soldiers were assigned to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Afghan National Security Force Development Team where they served...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard is staging personnel in Fredericksburg and Lexington June 30 to be prepared for possible post-storm recovery operations after a series of severe storms struck Virginia June 29. The Virginia Guard has been authorized to bring up to 300 personnel on state active duty and began staging approximately 110 personnel at the readiness center in Fredericksburg and 30 personnel at the readiness center in Lexington to be prepared for possible missions starting the morning of July 1. Additional personnel have been alerted for possible duty and will be held in reserve for possible future missions. Governor Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon in response to severe weather that affected the Commonwealth Friday night. The declaration authorizes...

    Virginia Guard personnel preparing for possible post-storm recovery operations

    Posted on June 30, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard is staging personnel in Fredericksburg and Lexington June 30 to be prepared for possible post-storm recovery operations after a series of severe storms struck Virginia June 29. The Virginia Guard has been authorized to bring up to 300 personnel on state active duty and began staging approximately 110 personnel at the readiness center in Fredericksburg and 30 personnel at the readiness center in Lexington to be prepared for possible missions starting the morning of July 1. Additional personnel have been alerted for possible duty and will be held in reserve for possible future missions. Governor Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon in response to severe weather that affected the Commonwealth Friday night. The declaration authorizes...

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  • SANDSTON, 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...

    Whittington named new commander of the 29th Infantry Division

    Posted on June 22, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, 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...

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  • Any member of the Virginia Department of Military Affairs (Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard or Virginia Defense Force) impacted by the April 6 F-18 crash in Virginia Beach should contact the Virginia National Guard Joint Operations Center as soon as possible. Please call JOC at 804-236-7704 or 804-236-7705 with information about how you were impacted by the incident. Share

    DMA members impacted by the F18 crash should contact Joint Operations Center

    Posted on April 7, 2012 | No Comments
    Any member of the Virginia Department of Military Affairs (Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard or Virginia Defense Force) impacted by the April 6 F-18 crash in Virginia Beach should contact the Virginia National Guard Joint Operations Center as soon as possible. Please call JOC at 804-236-7704 or 804-236-7705 with information about how you were impacted by the incident. Share

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  • HAMPTON, Va.. — Approximately 40 Virginia Guardsmen assigned to the Hampton-based Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force Platoon arrived at airports across Virginia March 28 after the Soldiers served on federal active duty in Afghanistan since June 2011. The Soldiers returned to the United States March 23 and conducted demobilization activities at Camp Atterbury, Ind., to transition from active duty to National Guard status. They officially began federal active duty March 26, 2011, and trained at Camp Atterbury for about two months prior to deploying to Afghanistan. The members of the platoon performed more than 640 security missions in support of PRT Uruzgan while the PRT was operating in potentially dangerous areas to rebuild infrastructure, assist with agriculture, build wells and...

    Hampton-based National Guard Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force Platoon returns to Virginia after duty in Afghanistan

    Posted on March 28, 2012 | No Comments
    HAMPTON, Va.. — Approximately 40 Virginia Guardsmen assigned to the Hampton-based Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force Platoon arrived at airports across Virginia March 28 after the Soldiers served on federal active duty in Afghanistan since June 2011. The Soldiers returned to the United States March 23 and conducted demobilization activities at Camp Atterbury, Ind., to transition from active duty to National Guard status. They officially began federal active duty March 26, 2011, and trained at Camp Atterbury for about two months prior to deploying to Afghanistan. The members of the platoon performed more than 640 security missions in support of PRT Uruzgan while the PRT was operating in potentially dangerous areas to rebuild infrastructure, assist with agriculture, build wells and...

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  • LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — The Maintenance and Operations Groups of the 192nd Fighter Wing were each selected for an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for their accomplishments over the past two years. The groups are being recognized as a result of consistent, high-level performance, dedication to the mission, and the ability to thrive as a classic association with the 1st Fighter Wing in today’s total force construct. “The Airmen of the 192nd Fighter Wing have been on the cutting edge of air combat power as the first Air National Guard unit to fly the F-22 Raptor, and these two units being recognized is a result of their technical expertise, hard work and dedicated service,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell....

    Outstanding Unit Award recognizes 192nd Fighter Wing Maintenance and Operations Groups

    Posted on January 27, 2012 | No Comments
    LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — The Maintenance and Operations Groups of the 192nd Fighter Wing were each selected for an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for their accomplishments over the past two years. The groups are being recognized as a result of consistent, high-level performance, dedication to the mission, and the ability to thrive as a classic association with the 1st Fighter Wing in today’s total force construct. “The Airmen of the 192nd Fighter Wing have been on the cutting edge of air combat power as the first Air National Guard unit to fly the F-22 Raptor, and these two units being recognized is a result of their technical expertise, hard work and dedicated service,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell....

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — Approximately 110 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Brigade Combat Team Headquarters returned to Virginia Jan. 7 after serving on federal active duty in Afghanistan since early August 2011. The unit served as headquarters for Combined Team Zabul where it conducted full-spectrum counterinsurgency operations in Zabul Province in southeast Afghanistan, a region nearly the size of the State of New Jersey. They officially began federal active duty May 15, 2011 and mobilized with just 60 days notice. Also returning are approximately 20 Soldiers from the Bowling Green-based Detachment 1, Company B, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. No formal welcome home ceremony was planned for the return. Instead, Soldiers flew back to the airport closest to...

    Soldiers from Staunton-based National Guard 116th Brigade Combat Team Headquarters return to Virginia after duty in Afghanistan

    Posted on January 7, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — Approximately 110 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Brigade Combat Team Headquarters returned to Virginia Jan. 7 after serving on federal active duty in Afghanistan since early August 2011. The unit served as headquarters for Combined Team Zabul where it conducted full-spectrum counterinsurgency operations in Zabul Province in southeast Afghanistan, a region nearly the size of the State of New Jersey. They officially began federal active duty May 15, 2011 and mobilized with just 60 days notice. Also returning are approximately 20 Soldiers from the Bowling Green-based Detachment 1, Company B, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. No formal welcome home ceremony was planned for the return. Instead, Soldiers flew back to the airport closest to...

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