1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th IBCT

08/17/2022

Photos from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's post

08/14/2022

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝟵/𝟭𝟭 𝗚𝗶 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹® 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 as of 1 August 2022! 🎓📚💵

08/07/2022

On this day in 1782, George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit. The medal was reintroduced in 1932 as the Purple Heart and serves as a citation for those wounded or killed in combat.

Today, we remember and honor these brave men and women and their sacrifice in service of our country.

08/06/2022

First Virginia Artillery reenlistment of some of the finest Soldiers in the Army!

Congratulations to SFC Williams, SSG Butts, SGT Gilliam, SGT Proffitt, SPC Warren, and SPC Yost of Carnage Battery.

Reenlistment is one of the most time-honored traditions in the Army, dating back to the Revolutionary War. Soldiers who reenlist into the Army reaffirm the Oath of Enlistment each time service is continued.

08/01/2022

Naming Commission announces decision to retain 29th Infantry Division patch

Naming Commission announces decision to retain 29th Infantry Division patch

RICHMOND, Va. — The Naming Commission announced Aug. 1, 2022, they will recommend to retain the 29th Infantry Division patch. According to a new release from the Naming Commission, in a July letter to

07/20/2022

**Updated Army Tattoo Policy**

07/17/2022

Shout out to our fellow Service Members who help move our personnel and equipment all over the world. Their logistical support is imperative to our mission success. Thank you U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)!

07/08/2022

Check out one of our Fire Supporters currently deployed with Task Force Red Dragon. The First Virginia Artillery is not only deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve for the Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar mission, but some of our Soldiers are attached to Task Force Red Dragon’s support of the Horn of Africa mission.

Red Dragon of the Week:

1LT Lucas Hidalgo from Chino Hills, CA, is a company fire support officer, assigned to B Company,1-116th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).

Hidalgo runs a fire support team and works as a base defense operations center (BDOC) battle captain at Camp Simba, in Manda Bay, Kenya. He is in charge of creating fires plans for all patrols run out of Camp Simba and position approvement for indirect fire assets.

Hidalgo grew up in California and moved to Virginia to attend school. He applied to multiple military academies and ended up choosing the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).

“I got into both VMI and the Citadel,” he said.
“I ordered hoodies from both schools and whichever one showed up first I was going to go to that school. VMI showed up first.”

Hidalgo went to school there from 2015 to 2019 and studied physics and mathematics.
He enlisted in the Virginia National Guard in 2016 as a forward observer (13F) while attending VMI.

Hidalgo now lives in Richmond, VA, and even though it is a big change from California, he loves it, he says.

“Having seasons is nice,” he said.
“There are a lot of really cool outdoorsy spots. I do a lot of triathlons, and I like to surf and ski.
I can do all those things in Virginia.”

He relates his willingness to serve his country to the examples that his parents set for him growing up.

“Service is a big thing in my family,” he said.
“Be it to one's country, community, or family. I got a lot of that from my mom and dad. They were both really big on serving and giving back to the community. So, the military is my way of serving.”

07/07/2022

R&R offering up pizza party for top lead-producing unit

This month, Virginia’s Recruiting & Retention Battalion is challenging units to help grow the force! They’ll announce and celebrate the top lead-generating unit with a pizza party in August.

The Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion is offering up a pizza party for the top lead-producing unit in the state as part of their Summer Slam Challenge. The contest,

07/05/2022

Applications now accepted for Scholarship Grants

Applications now accepted for Scholarship Grants

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia National Guard Association is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. The VNGA provides a number scholarship grants to deserving Virginia National Guard officers, warrant officers, retirees or members of their immediate families. In 2021, the VNGA i...

07/05/2022

Photos from Virginia Army National Guard Recruiting's post

06/27/2022

Some of our friends and families report receiving a message with a discount code on unit t-shirts. The message is a phishing scam. Please do not click on the link or provide any personal information. We never contact our Soldiers’ friends or families directly through Facebook message, e-mail, or text message.

We do not have unit t-shirts for sale at this time.

06/19/2022

“Juneteenth is also a time for reflection and remembrance. We remember the millions of enslaved men, women, and children who were bought, sold, and held as property, not human beings. We remember the hundreds of thousands of Americans who fought and died to keep our Nation united and make all its citizens free.” Chief of the National Guard Bureau

This Juneteenth, we rededicate ourselves to the principles of freedom and democracy, never forgetting the resilience and persistence of those who came before us. We recognize our American history, we rejoice in the blessings of liberty, and we remember what so many overcame to celebrate this day.

06/17/2022

Congratulations to this group of 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment Soldiers who earned the Army Combat Action Badge for their response to an enemy attack on Al Asad Airbase in Iraq.

On 8 April 2022, an armed Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) rapidly approached the base. As part of the Joint Base Defense System, this group of Soldiers manning the C-RAM system employed lethal fires to shoot down the enemy threat.

The immediate actions of these Soldiers mitigated risk to joint and combined forces as well as prevented damage to critical base infrastructure.

These hard-working and dedicated Soldiers knowingly place themselves in dangerous situations in order to perform their daily duties.

NUNQAUM NON PARATUS (Never Unprepared)

06/14/2022

Photos from Virginia National Guard's post

06/11/2022

Field Artillery officer highlights trust, teamwork in unit cohesion

Another talented artilleryman and impressive leader from First Virginia Artillery!

Read First Lieutenant Justin Riordan's story below.

Being a field artillery officer is what 1st Lt. Justin Riordan considers the best part of his service in the Virginia Army National Guard. What makes it so great, he said, is the teamwork.

06/09/2022

Field Artillery Symposium Opening Video

: The latest Field Artillery Hype video from the 2022 Field Artillery Symposium hosted by the United States Field Artillery Association

The Virginia Army National Guard Recruiting is now offering $20,000 enlistment bonuses for career fields in First Virginia Artillery.

We have openings available in Richmond, Hampton, and Norfolk and on top of that bonus, you will earn state and federal tuition assistance, plus additional incentives.

For more information, please send us a message or contact a recruiter at https://bit.ly/3qX9ONE.

This is "Field Artillery Symposium Opening Video" by US Field Artillery Association on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/06/2022

On this Day in History: 6 June, 1944

Operation Neptune (Normandy Landings), Omaha Beach. As an element of the 29th Infantry Division, the 111th Field Artillery is scheduled to land on Omaha beach at H-Hour + 110 minutes (8:20 am local time) at the subsector code named "Easy Green" however the landing proved anything but easy. The Soldiers of the 111th loaded into thirteen DUKW amphibious trucks and ferried to within 12 miles of the Normandy coast aboard an LCT (Landing Craft, Tank). The 111th's DUKW's began launching at 4:00 am and immediately ran into problems, swamping and sinking in the heavy seas. Fortunately, other landing craft rescued most of the Soldiers.

By the time of the final approach on the beach only four DUKW's remained, three of which would sink before being unloading their howitzers. The last DUKW and howitzer, commanded by Captain Louis Shuford of Charlie Battery, spent over an hour trying to find a place to come ashore not blocked by disabled or burning landing craft. Captain Shuford eventually landed his DUKW and howitzer with the help of the crane mounted on a "rhino ferry" landing barge. This howitzer went into action with the 7th Field Artillery, as none of the 111th's ammunition made it to shore.

With no howitzers under his control the Commander of the 111th, Lieutenant Colonel Thornton Mullins, took his remaining Soldiers into action. LTC Mullins yelled out to them "To hell with our artillery mission, we're infantrymen now." He led his men from the front in support of the fight to get off the beach and was killed in action shortly thereafter.

For his courage and leadership, LTC Mullins was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and remains the only member of the 111th ever so honored.

06/04/2022

Special thanks to the Soldiers assigned to assist
the VANG VA Beach during this weekend's
the USO Experience Virginia Beach 2022. These Soldiers will facilitate a static display of a M119A3 105mm howitzer and showcase the artillery career field in the Virginia National Guard.

Private First Class Izabella Fall (13F, Fire Support Specialist) of DET1, 1-111th FA.

Specialist Celeste Casillas (13J, Fire Control Specialist) of C BTRY 1/111th Field Artillery.

Private First Class Angela Hinton (13F, Fire Support Specialist) of DET1, 1-111th FA.

Private First Class Vernon Stuart (13B, Cannon Crewmember) of Bravo Battery 1st 111th FA "Steel Rain".

This event is a weeklong event taking place June 1 - 5, 2022 in the Virginia Beach area, and consists of a series of athletic, recreational, and social activities for service members and their families, combined with educational and entertaining public elements. For more information, please check out https://www.uso.org/usoexperience-vb.

For the Battalion's deployed Soldiers in the Middle East, local USO centers provide a supportive environment as our Soldiers perform their challenging duties in Iraq.

The Beach Crew at The USO Experience 2022!

06/03/2022

A message from the Command Team

To Families and Friends of Soldiers serving in Task Force Thunder,

On behalf of the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, Command Sergeant Major Williams and I would like to extend our profound appreciation for your unwavering support during this deployment. Your role is invaluable and essential for the well-being of your Soldier and towards the accomplishment of our combat mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

After spending nearly two months at Fort Sill, Oklahoma training outside of our traditional field artillery mission, our Soldiers now operate and maintain Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) systems in Iraq - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - to provide short range air defense of critical diplomatic and military infrastructure and personnel. CSM Williams and I could not be more proud of the commitment and dedication to duty demonstrated by our Soldiers.

During off-duty hours and as featured on unit social media accounts, Soldiers remain engaged in a variety of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation activities and other friendly esprit de corps competitions among one another. This includes regular engagement with allied and partner nation military organizations.

Furthermore, we appreciate the tremendous amount of mail and care packages. These serve as a terrific morale booster and motivation for the Soldiers on a daily basis.

As we begin the second half of this deployment, family and friends can still expect that Soldiers will return to Virginia in December of 2022. As the program for demobilization in Texas becomes clearer and the Command better understands what this means, you will receive further information through unit Family Readiness Group representatives.

Thank you for your personal sacrifice, and thank you for your tireless support of our Soldiers serving on Freedom's Frontier.

"NUNQUAM NON PARATUS"

05/28/2022

Adjutant General of Virginia 2022 Memorial Day Message

Adjutant General of Virginia 2022 Memorial Day Message

The official website of the Virginia National Guard

05/28/2022

A Soldier's re-enlistment ceremony is an important milestone in an U.S. Army career. First Virginia Artillery proudly congratulates SPC Roberts on his
decision to continue service in the Virginia Army National Guard by re-enlisting for another 6 years!

SPC Roberts re-took the oath of enlistment, extending his selfless service to the Virginia Army National Guard and earning himself a $20,000 re-enlistment bonus as 13J. The oath was administered by his Battle Captain, 1LT Maggio.

05/27/2022

VNG’s first Filipino battery commander continues family military legacy

VNG’s first Filipino battery commander continues family military legacy

Capt. Samuel Ignacio is the first Filipino American to serve as a battery commander in the Virginia National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

05/24/2022

Congratulations to Staff Sergeant Brian Burnham of 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment on his recent graduation from the Fire Control Specialist, Senior Leader Course. SSG Burnham graduated as the Distinguished Honor Graduate (DHG). The DHG is awarded to the student who held the highest overall grade point average throughout the course.

The Senior Leader Course (SLC) is the third course in the U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System. The purpose of SLC is to prepare Sergeants First Class and promotable Staff Sergeants to develop military occupational specialty technical skills at the platoon and battery levels.

NUNQUAM NON PARATUS (Never Unprepared)

05/20/2022

Issue #10 of the 2022 Commonwealth's Guardian bi-weekly newsletter is available for download in PDF format at https://go.usa.gov/xuJvv. Please share the newsletter link with anyone you think would enjoy keeping up to date with the Virginia National Guard.

In this issue:

Virginia National Guard celebrates 415th birthday
https://go.usa.gov/xuzPg

34th CST hosts regional, national partners for joint exercise
https://go.usa.gov/xuzPX

Maintenance key to helicopters’ ability to accomplish mission in Kosovo
https://go.usa.gov/xuzE7

Shaver succeeds Pillion as MTC commander
https://go.usa.gov/xuu9U

91st Cyber Brigade welcomes new commander
https://go.usa.gov/xuzEM

“Camp On The Move!” slated to return this summer
https://go.usa.gov/xuzma

Photos: VDF conducts statewide readiness exercise
https://ngpa.us/19758/

Photos: Bortner takes command of 3-116th Infantry
https://ngpa.us/19719/

Photos: Tipton takes command of 429th BSB
https://ngpa.us/19744/

Photos: VaARNG leadership team visits Kosovo
https://ngpa.us/19678/

Zana ends command tour in Horn of Africa
https://ngpa.us/19745/

05/18/2022

U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, Commanding General, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Sergeant Major Richard Thresher, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, AFRICOM recognized several Redlegs of 1st Battalion, 111the Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with awards and challenge coins for outstanding performance while assigned to Task Force red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).

Congratulations to Captain Tyler Deherrera, Staff Sergeant Shayne Miller, Sergeant Joshua Johnson, and Specialist Nathaniel Harrell!

05/18/2022

Meet Spc. Ezekiel Vitales! He joined the Virginia Army National Guard as a 25U Signal Support Systems Specialist in 2016. He joined for a few reasons, including to help his family out financially and because he wanted a bigger way to serve his community.

“[I joined] to make a difference in the world while traveling and gaining knowledge in fields not readily available on the civilian side,” Vitales said.

Currently, Vitales is deployed to Iraq with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He counts it as a career highlight, along with the opportunity to assist with support missions stateside, like Operation Capitol Response in 2021, where he and his battle buddies were sworn in as Special Police.

Vitales, a Filipino American, says he hopes to be a role model for other Asian Americans interested in military service.

“I want to lead by example for younger generations to look up to someone who has the same representation as them,” he said. Vitales says he’s active in his church and serves as a blade dancer and a dragon dancer during Filipino Pride events and at other performances in his community.

“I want to be able to represent my heritage in a manner that continues to keep the honor of my family,” Vitales said.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and this month the Virginia National Guard is taking time to highlight the diversity of our force.

05/17/2022

Earlier this month, Soldiers of DET1, 1-111th FA traveled to the Beneslava Training Complex, near Erbil International Airport, to conduct an individual weapons qualification using German weapon systems (G36 Rifle and the P8 Pistol) for the Schutzenschnur, the German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship. Following the qualification, our partners in the German Army awarded our Soldiers with the
Schutzenschnur. The badge, a decoration of the Bundeswehr (the armed forces of Germany), can be worn on the Soldier's uniform and can be awarded in gold, silver, and bronze.

NUNQUAM NON PARATUS (Never Unprepared)

05/17/2022

05/15/2022

Congratulations to the newest 131A - Field Artillery Targeting Technician Warrant Officers in the Army!

Thanks to WO1 Christopher Martrano and WO1 Dennis Kellam who volunteered to take on the additional responsibilities of technical experts and commissioned officers.

Commissioning through the 183D Regiment, Regional Training Institute, these formerly
high performing NCOs of First Virginia Artillery met the rigorous academic, leadership, physical and mental standards of Warrant Officer Candidate School Class 22-001.

NUNQUAM NON PARATUS (Never Unprepared)

05/13/2022

In this week’s Soldier Spotlight, meet Specialist Frimpong from Bravo Battery 1st 111th FA "Steel Rain". Originally from Ghana (Western Africa), she migrated to the United States some years back to further her education. After a few years in the US she joined the Virginia National Guard partly because of the benefits the military offers but also to give back by serving our country.

She is a 13J, Fire Control Specialist, and is currently deployed to the Middle East with her unit where she works as Engagement Operation Cell crew member.

SPC Frimpong is currently enrolled in Purdue University. Her dream is to attain a Master's degree in computer science in a few years and also to travel around the world.

She spends her free time talking to her husband and loved ones, working out, and reading books.

By the end of this deployment, she hopes to become the best version of herself physically and intellectually, by utilizing all the knowledge, experience and skills she's been exposed to.

"This is a NICE experience and I'm glad I got the chance to be a part of it. Seeing different parts of the world always gives you a more diverse outlook on the world."

05/06/2022

Military Spouse Appreciation

Today is National Military Spouse Appreciation Day. We appreciate all the spouses continuing to support First Virginia Artillery and our Soldiers forward deployed in the Middle East. We honor your countless contributions and personal sacrifices. Thank you for all you do!

The Defense Department recognizes the strength and contributions of our nearly 1 million military spouses and offers extra support and activities focused on real-world needs on Military Spouse Appreciation Day each May, and year-round.

05/05/2022

🚨 NOW AVAILABLE: REENLISTMENT BONUSES UP TO $20,000! 🚨

If you've been thinking about extending your career in the Virginia Army National Guard, the time is now. Contact your unit or send us a message to learn more.

05/04/2022

In this weeks Soldier Spotlight, meet SPC Roberts! Originally from Fredericksburg, VIrginia, SPC Roberts joined the Virginia National Guard 5 years ago because he felt a calling to serve his country. He decided to join Alpha Battery - 1/111th Field Artillery as a 13J, Fire Control Specialist, because he wanted to enhance and utilize his IT skills while serving in combat arms.

In his civilian job, he is Telecommunications field technician. When we return, he is hoping to find a Full Time National Guard position.

“This deployment gives me the opportunity to go to the gym and improve my PT.“

05/01/2022

‘They truly are citizen-soldiers.’ The National Guard’s Norfolk-based Bravo Battery traces its roots to 1828

Sgt. 1st Class James Miller has been with the 111th Field Artillery for 33 years. He mentors the younger generation of citizen soldiers. Ultimately, he hopes they will replace him by doing things right.

“I love the artillery. I can’t stress that enough. I love it. I try to get people to come in and see what we do,” said Miller.

This modern-day artillery unit traces its lineage to the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, formed in 1828. Washington’s birthday was the immediate, and deliberate, occasion of their founding.

04/28/2022

In this week’s Soldier Spotlight, meet Sergeant Proffitt, a 68W, Combat Medic, currently deployed with C BTRY 1/111th Field Artillery. Originally from Fluvanna County, Virginia, he joined the Virginia National Guard in 2012, following many of his family members that also serve. He decided to become a combat medic after his brother was diagnosed with epilepsy in high school, which peaked his interest in the medical field.

SGT Proffitt currently lives in Eastern shore where he works in hospital administration at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital. Currently, SGT Proffitt is in a Masters of Health Administration program at Liberty University. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, poker, fishing, golfing, and hanging out with his wife.

SGT Proffitt has enjoyed being able to serve as a medic during this deployment. Preserving the fighting force is the motto of the medical corps, and he has already gained valuable experience supporting our Soldiers.

“To conserve the fighting force.”

04/28/2022

Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, commander of the Virginia Army National Guard, talks about the latest update to the Army Combat Fitness Test, focusing on fieldcraft during annual training and growing the VaARNG team in his latest quarterly update. Read more at https://ngpa.us/19444.

Read more about the revised ACFT information by visiting https://www.army.mil/acft/.

If you see someone who you think would be a good fit for the Army National Guard, speak up! Input their information as a lead for our recruiting team on the Virginia National Guard app on Android or Apple devices or visit https://apps.bfac.com/m/vaguard/.

04/25/2022

The Other Side of Air Defense - The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fight

The Other Side of Air Defense - The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fight

04/21/2022

Fire Mission!!!! Forward Observer and Target Acquisition Teams from First Virginia Artillery, mobilized as part of Task Force Red Dragon, conduct combined artillery live fire training.

04/20/2022

Meet Sergeant Vandeventer (left) In this weeks Soldier Spotlight! SGT Vandeventer just renewed his commitment to the Virginia National Guard for another 6 years!

Assigned as 13J, Fire Control Specialist with Bravo Battery 1st 111th FA "Steel Rain", SGT Vandeventer is currently deployed to the Middle East as a Engagement Operations Center Crewmember.

After growing up around Lake Anna, Virginia, SGT Vandeventer was looking for a better calling in his life and decided to join the National Guard to improve his physical fitness and maturity. Over his first 6 year contract, he has learn many skills that he can apply to his civilian life including communication, leadership, and troubleshooting complex problems.

"Soldiers coming to the end of their first contact need to think about how their unit leadership can always and improve. I have seen a lot of changes in my unit and progress in the Army."

When not on shift, SGT Vandeventer enjoys checking up on his family, studying, and exercising. His wife is active duty Navy and just completed a deployment and is home with their two daughters, with one more child on the way.

Captain Anna (right) conducted SGT Vandeventer's re-enlistment on April 10, 2022.