Virginia National Guard

05/31/2026

Virginia National Guard Soldiers supporting Exercise Karelian Sword 26 near marked a milestone last week as Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Carrell and Spc. Evan Murch extended their enlistments during the multinational training exercise.

The ceremony took place during a visit from U.S. Army Col. Alyssa Astphan, commander of the Virginia National Guard’s 329th Regional Support Group.

Karelian Sword 26 is designed to strengthen interoperability and readiness among more than 10,000 troops from the Finnish Defence Forces and partner nations.

Approximately 35 Virginia Soldiers, all assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, are spending two weeks in Finland training alongside their Finnish counterparts.

05/28/2026

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Chesterfield-based Detachment 1, Charlie Company, 2-245th Aviation Regiment, conduct a departure ceremony and officially begin their federal active duty May 27, 2026, in Chesterfield, Virginia. Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Lt. Col. Carolina Rohlfing, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, were on hand to bid the Soldiers farewell, thank them for their service and recognize the sacrifices of their families. The detachment operates and maintains a C-12 Huron, the VNG’s fixed wing capability, and is mobilizing to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.
See more photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUYbB

05/27/2026

Virginia National Guard Soldiers began the field training portion of Karelian Sword 26 this week with counter-mobility efforts alongside their Finnish counterparts.

Approximately 35 Virginia Soldiers are currently in Finland supporting the multinational exercise, which is designed to strengthen interoperability and readiness among more than 10,000 troops from the Finnish Defence Forces and partner nations, including the U.S. and U.K.

The Virginia Soldiers are assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, and will spend two weeks training alongside Finnish forces.

More photos from this event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUWnw

05/26/2026

Virginia’s senior leaders honor service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country at the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony May 25, 2026, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger and First Gentleman Adam Spanberger, and retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and his wife Cheryl Williams, placed memorial wreaths to honor the fallen. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, provided remarks to the crowd. Sgt. Emeana P. McDonald led the pledge of allegiance and the 29th Infantry Division Band Fife & Drum Group provided music for the ceremony. Members of the Virginia Defense Force volunteered their time to provide guest services and es**rt support.

See more photos on Flickr- at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCURq6

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our nation.

05/24/2026

ICYMI: We recently celebrated our 419th birthday!

The Virginia National Guard celebrated its 419th birthday May 14, 2026, during a ceremony in Richmond, Virginia. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger provided remarks, while retired Maj. Gen. Timothy P.

05/23/2026

Happening now in Finland: Virginia National Guard Soldiers are participating in Karelian Sword 26! 🇫🇮

05/21/2026

The request was clear: Virginia Warrant Officers wanted a more intentional way to connect, share expertise, mentor one another and develop future technical leaders. The Old Dominion Cohort was built to answer that request.

This initiative lays the foundation for something continuous — a stronger, more connected Warrant Officer community across the Commonwealth.

To learn more about the purpose, vision and road ahead, read the full letter below from Chief Warrant Officer 5 Douglas L. Harris, the Virginia Army National Guard’s Command Chief Warrant Officer.

For current Warrant Officers, this is your call to engage. For Soldiers with the skill, drive and discipline to become a Warrant Officer, this is your moment to step forward. Ask the question. Start the process. Build your future one block at a time.

05/20/2026

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team load vehicles and equipment onto rail cars for transport May 20, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The 116th will begin a training rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, later this month after validating their transition from an Infantry Brigade Combat Team to an MBCT during their eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation at Fort Pickett in 2025.

More photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUjyn

05/19/2026

“Chaplain Sprouse and his family have walked in service of the Citizen Soldier, not only here but around the globe,” said Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. “He will be the senior advisor spiritually, morally and holistically, not only for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, but to the hundreds of thousands of Guard men and women who serve our joint force. We recognize what an honor it is for us to be with you as you become a general officer. We thank you for the tremendous dedicated service you have given through the decades.

The Virginia National Guard’s Col. Benjamin Sprouse pinned on the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony May 3, 2026, at the VNG’s Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center