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Recent Posts
- Support missions for 57th Presidential Inauguration help Va. Guard prepare for future operations
- Soldiers from the 29th Infantry Division conduct civil support exercise during annual training
- Virginia Guard military police personnel assist with security at 57th Presidential Inauguration
- Virginia Guard Soldiers provide communications capability to inauguration mission
- Va. Guard chaplains provide service to Guardsmen during Presidential Inauguration
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- Support missions for 57th Presidential Inauguration help Va @USNationalGuard prepare for future operations http://t.co/vnWZGtgh #inaug2013 02:42:07 AM February 02, 2013 from Tweet Button
- Va. Guard military police personnel assist with security at 57th Presidential Inauguration http://t.co/3vjT8ym9 #inaug2013 12:04:49 AM February 02, 2013 from Tweet Button
- Va. Guard Soldiers provide communications capability to inauguration mission http://t.co/7gfVhiod #inaug2013 11:11:44 PM February 01, 2013 from Tweet Button
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Support missions for 57th Presidential Inauguration help Va. Guard prepare for future operations
Posted on January 27, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, 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... -
Virginia Guard Soldiers provide communications capability to inauguration mission
Posted on January 24, 2013 | No CommentsWASHINGTON, 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... -
Va. Guard chaplains provide service to Guardsmen during Presidential Inauguration
Posted on January 24, 2013 | No CommentsWASHINGTON, 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... -
Public Safety Secretary thanks state public safety team
Posted on January 23, 2013 | No CommentsTo 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... -
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 CommentFORT 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 scheduled to display equipment outside General Assembly building Jan. 15
Posted on January 14, 2013 | No CommentsRICHMOND, 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... -
Va. Guard Soldiers earn civilian credit for military experience
Posted on January 11, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, 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,... -
Governor recognizes Va. Guard during State of the Commonwealth Address
Posted on January 10, 2013 | No CommentsRICHMOND, 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... -
Va. Guard hosts inaugural Sexual Assault Awareness Summit
Posted on January 9, 2013 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. –The Virginia Guard gathered representatives from state, local and military organizations to discuss the goals of each organization and how they might work together to help survivors of sexual assault during the inaugural Virginia National Guard Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Awareness Summit, held Jan. 8 at the Mullins Readiness Center in Sandston, Va. “As we planned this summit, the goal in mind was to develop a sense of community, partnership, and an understanding between the military and civilian communities to give the best treatment to our survivors, both military and civilian,” explained Kimberly Cullen, the Virginia Guard’s alternate sexual assault response coordinator. “We wanted to gather all of our local and state resources in one room to... -
Commonwealth ChalleNGe graduates 152 at Virginia Beach ceremony
Posted on December 24, 2012 | No CommentsVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — One hundred and fifty two cadets of Class 37 of the Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Program walked across the stage Dec. 22 at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach for the second largest graduating class in ChalleNGe history. Cadets received congratulations from retired Col. Jimmy J. Chandler, Director of ChalleNGe, retired Lt. Cmdr. Richard Guzman, Deputy Commander of ChalleNGe, and Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, who was the guest speaker for the ceremony. Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, Brig. Gen. Wayne A. Wright, the Deputy Adjutant General of Virginia, Brig. Gen. Janice Igou, Virginia National Guard Director of Interagency Operations, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis A. Green, the Virginia... -
Va. Guard works to improve sustainability efforts
Posted on December 11, 2012 | No CommentsFORT 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... -
AG, Virginia Guard staff on hand as Governor receives keys to new Freedom Support Center at Fort Monroe
Posted on December 4, 2012 | No CommentsFORT MONROE, Va. — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, Col. Thom Morgan, director of manpower and personnel for the Virginia Guard, and representatives of Virginia National Guard Family Programs joined Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, First Lady Maureen McDonnell, for the passing of the keys to the Freedom Support Center Nov. 30 at Fort Monroe, Va. The center will serve as a “one-stop” service facility for active duty, reserve and National Guard service members, their families and veterans with information on government benefits and programs, career planning, job training programs, financial counseling, short-term financial aid, and more. The Freedom Support Center adds a physical dimension to First Lady McDonnell’s SOS (Serving Our... -
Virginia National Guard works with Tajikistan’s Peacekeeping Operations Battalion on infantry and medical tactics
Posted on November 30, 2012 | No CommentsSANDSTON, Va. — Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard participated in missions to Tajikistan from Nov. 3-16, 2012, where they conducted an exchange in infantry tactics and medical support procedures with the Tajikistan Peacekeeping Operations Battalion in preparation for future United Nations missions. Lt. Col. Michael Renforth of the 192nd Medical Group led the Medical Exchange, while 1st Lt. David Worley of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team led the Infantry Tactical Exchange. The teams consisted of Soldiers and Airmen from Joint Force Headquarters; 192nd Medical Group; Virginia Army National Guard Medical Command; Intel and Sustainment Company, 29th Infantry Division; Companies B and C, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion,... -
New state command chief promoted to CW5
Posted on November 29, 2012 | No CommentsBLACKSTONE, Va. — Chief Warrant Officer 4 William Lyles was promoted to chief warrant officer 5 in a promotion ceremony held Nov. 21, 2012, at Fort Pickett. Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, hosted the event and “pinned on” the new rank for the state’s senior warrant officer. He officially began serving Nov. 1 as the state command chief warrant officer. In that position, he serves as the senior warrant officer in the state managing the military aspects of all full time and traditional National Guard warrant officers. He is the primary advisor and spokesperson regarding issues related to the analysis and enforcement of established policies and standards for all warrant officers and is responsible... -
Adjutant General and Senior Enlisted Leader Holiday Video Message available online
Posted on November 28, 2012 | No CommentsThe 2012 Holiday Video Message from Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Green, the Virginia Guard Senior Enlisted Leader, is available online at the following links: View the video on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10100864180302796 Download in WMV format: http://ow.ly/fEWD5 Download in MOV format: http://ow.ly/fEWLO Share -
Va. Guard’s 29th Division Band to play for Capitol Tree Lighting
Posted on November 27, 2012 | No CommentsRICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Clifton Forge-based 29th Division Band will provide holiday music for the 2012 Capitol Tree Lighting and Tribute to Our Military scheduled for Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at 5 p.m. at the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol. Governor Bob McDonnell and Mrs. McDonnell will host the event, and the public is invited to attend. The entire band will play for the tree lighting, then divide up into small groups to play inside the Executive Mansion and showcase the talent in the band during an Open House, explained Sgt. First Class Richard A. Carr Jr., readiness noncommissioned officer for the 29th Division Band. “This is the first time the band has performed at...