1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Archive

  • 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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  • SANDSTON, 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,...

    Virginia National Guard works with Tajikistan’s Peacekeeping Operations Battalion on infantry and medical tactics

    Posted on November 30, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, 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,...

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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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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. – Family members and friends of Virginia Guard Soldiers from the Hampton-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team observed live fire operations and participated in the firing of the unit’s howitzers Aug. 11 at Fort Pickett as part of Family Day. Family Day is an event hosted by the unit biennially and aims to give family members a first-hand glace into the military lives of their Soldiers. “This gives us an opportunity during one of our regularly scheduled live fire events to have families come down and it gives them a chance to see what their loved ones do on a drill weekend,” explained Capt. Brooks Rembert, Battery B commander. Many of...

    1-111th FA gives friends, family members chance to fire howitzers

    Posted on August 14, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. – Family members and friends of Virginia Guard Soldiers from the Hampton-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team observed live fire operations and participated in the firing of the unit’s howitzers Aug. 11 at Fort Pickett as part of Family Day. Family Day is an event hosted by the unit biennially and aims to give family members a first-hand glace into the military lives of their Soldiers. “This gives us an opportunity during one of our regularly scheduled live fire events to have families come down and it gives them a chance to see what their loved ones do on a drill weekend,” explained Capt. Brooks Rembert, Battery B commander. Many of...

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  • WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Approximately 40 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Hampton-based Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force Platoon gathered July 22 in Williamsburg  to conduct a Freedom Salute in honor of their service in Afghanistan. The Soldiers returned home in late March after serving on federal active duty in Afghanistan since June 2011. “We started with the words discipline and honor, and they were our foundation,” said Capt. James Covington, commander of the platoon. “You guys lived up to those words, and then some. I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of everything you have done.” The Soldiers performed more than 640 security missions in support of PRT Uruzgan while the PRT was operating in potentially...

    Freedom Salute honors Security Force Platoon service in Afghanistan

    Posted on July 24, 2012 | No Comments
    WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Approximately 40 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Hampton-based Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force Platoon gathered July 22 in Williamsburg  to conduct a Freedom Salute in honor of their service in Afghanistan. The Soldiers returned home in late March after serving on federal active duty in Afghanistan since June 2011. “We started with the words discipline and honor, and they were our foundation,” said Capt. James Covington, commander of the platoon. “You guys lived up to those words, and then some. I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of everything you have done.” The Soldiers performed more than 640 security missions in support of PRT Uruzgan while the PRT was operating in potentially...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — More than 1,800 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group conducted annual training at Fort Pickett and Fort A. P. Hill from June 9-23 with a focus on individual Soldier skills as well as collective training to better prepare their units for both their state and federal missions. Each brigade has unique challenges because of their different mission sets, so leaders have to adapt their training plans in order to make sure units are prepared for their assigned missions. The Army’s Force Generation model, or ARFORGEN, establishes how Guard units plan their training with the first year after a mobilization being known as the “reset” year. In following years, the training echelon advances to team, squad, platoon and higher...

    Virginia Soldiers sharpen their warrior skills during annual training

    Posted on June 27, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — More than 1,800 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group conducted annual training at Fort Pickett and Fort A. P. Hill from June 9-23 with a focus on individual Soldier skills as well as collective training to better prepare their units for both their state and federal missions. Each brigade has unique challenges because of their different mission sets, so leaders have to adapt their training plans in order to make sure units are prepared for their assigned missions. The Army’s Force Generation model, or ARFORGEN, establishes how Guard units plan their training with the first year after a mobilization being known as the “reset” year. In following years, the training echelon advances to team, squad, platoon and higher...

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  • FORT A.P. HILL, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Hampton-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team spent their annual training preparing the battalion for readiness in the event of deployment focusing on section-level tasks. Throughout its two-week training June 9-23 at Fort A. P. Hill, the battalion trained on individual and crew-served weapons, convoy and movement operations and maintenance of equipment. They also focused on Combat Life Saver certification. “Annual training went well,” said Lt. Col. John T. Winkler, the battalion commander, from Fairfax. “Our first priority was safety. We were working in dangerous conditions and we had no incidents.” During the two-week training, the 1-111th spent nine days in the field participating...

    1-111th Soldiers conduct live fire, section-level training during AT

    Posted on June 26, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT A.P. HILL, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the Hampton-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team spent their annual training preparing the battalion for readiness in the event of deployment focusing on section-level tasks. Throughout its two-week training June 9-23 at Fort A. P. Hill, the battalion trained on individual and crew-served weapons, convoy and movement operations and maintenance of equipment. They also focused on Combat Life Saver certification. “Annual training went well,” said Lt. Col. John T. Winkler, the battalion commander, from Fairfax. “Our first priority was safety. We were working in dangerous conditions and we had no incidents.” During the two-week training, the 1-111th spent nine days in the field participating...

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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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  • JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, Va. — Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Hampton-based Battery B, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th Brigade Combat Team represented the modern military at the Military Through the Ages event March 17 and 18 at the Jamestown Settlement, and Maj. Gen. Frank E. Batts, commander of the 29th Infantry Division, presided as the reviewing official for the parade of 32 reenactor units March 18. The artillery Soldiers set up a static display and answered questions from the public as well as demonstrated the firing capabilities of the M119A2 howitzer. Batts addressed the participants and visitors, explaining that the Virginia National Guard traces it’s roots back to Jamestown in 1607, when the settlement depended on its militia composed...

    Virginia Guard artillery Soldiers represent the modern military at “Military Through the Ages” event

    Posted on March 21, 2012 | No Comments
    JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, Va. — Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Hampton-based Battery B, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th Brigade Combat Team represented the modern military at the Military Through the Ages event March 17 and 18 at the Jamestown Settlement, and Maj. Gen. Frank E. Batts, commander of the 29th Infantry Division, presided as the reviewing official for the parade of 32 reenactor units March 18. The artillery Soldiers set up a static display and answered questions from the public as well as demonstrated the firing capabilities of the M119A2 howitzer. Batts addressed the participants and visitors, explaining that the Virginia National Guard traces it’s roots back to Jamestown in 1607, when the settlement depended on its militia composed...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Lt. Col. John T. Winkler assumed command of the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team from Lt. Col. Roger Hall in a change of command ceremony Jan. 7, 2012 at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach. Winkler, who returned Oct. 27 from a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan with the 29th Infantry Division Security Partnering Team, previously served as executive officer of the 1-111th. “I look forward to the next few years,” Winkler said. “We all share the same values and I expect hard work, honesty, transparency and communication.” He then led his troops in reciting the Soldier’s Creed. “Ten months have gone by quickly,” Hall said as he reflected on...

    New commander takes charge of Norfolk-based field artillery unit

    Posted on January 10, 2012 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Lt. Col. John T. Winkler assumed command of the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team from Lt. Col. Roger Hall in a change of command ceremony Jan. 7, 2012 at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach. Winkler, who returned Oct. 27 from a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan with the 29th Infantry Division Security Partnering Team, previously served as executive officer of the 1-111th. “I look forward to the next few years,” Winkler said. “We all share the same values and I expect hard work, honesty, transparency and communication.” He then led his troops in reciting the Soldier’s Creed. “Ten months have gone by quickly,” Hall said as he reflected on...

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