Latest News from the Virginia National Guard
  • 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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  • JOINT BASE LANGLEY-Eustis, Va. — Lt. Col. Stephen Bunting took command of the Virginia Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Squadron from Lt. Col. William J. Butz in a change of command ceremony held Jan. 13, 2013, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Butz took command of the 149th Fighter Squadron on Aug. 24, 2010. He was commissioned in 1989 through the Officer Training Program at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. After Undergraduate Pilot Training, he flew F-16C’s at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, Shaw AFB in South Carolina, and Cannon AFB in New Mexico. He separated from active duty in 1998 and joined the Virginia Air National Guard. Butz is a command pilot with more than 3,300 fighter flying...

    Change of command ceremony held for Virginia 149th Fighter Squadron

    Posted on January 17, 2013 | No Comments
    JOINT BASE LANGLEY-Eustis, Va. — Lt. Col. Stephen Bunting took command of the Virginia Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Squadron from Lt. Col. William J. Butz in a change of command ceremony held Jan. 13, 2013, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Butz took command of the 149th Fighter Squadron on Aug. 24, 2010. He was commissioned in 1989 through the Officer Training Program at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. After Undergraduate Pilot Training, he flew F-16C’s at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, Shaw AFB in South Carolina, and Cannon AFB in New Mexico. He separated from active duty in 1998 and joined the Virginia Air National Guard. Butz is a command pilot with more than 3,300 fighter flying...

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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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