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

03/30/2022

Join us in Normandy for the 78th anniversary of D-Day!

Each year, the Virginia Army National Guard conducts professional development training in conjunction with the anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. This year, the Virginia Army National Guard is inviting five Soldiers to join us June 2-10, 2022, as we visit battlefields, view exhibitions, attend symposiums and come together with partner nations and our sister services.

Interested Soldiers should submit a memo explaining why they would like to participate in the training and send it to [email protected] by May 5, 2022. Lead champions, or those Soldiers who log the most recruiting leads in the Virginia National Guard App March 15-April 30, 2022, will be given preference during the selection process.

Look for the app on Android or Apple devices or click here: https://apps.bfac.com/m/vaguard/

To enter a lead, open the app, click on “Unit Tools,” then “Unit Referral,” fill out the requested information and click “Submit” at the bottom of the page.

03/25/2022

03/23/2022

Photos from Virginia National Guard's post

03/21/2022

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Hampton-based Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team represent the modern military and conduct a blank-fire demonstration with a M119A3 howitzer at Jamestown Settlement's Military Through the Ages March 19, 2022, at Jamestown, Virginia. The Soldiers talked with visitors, answered questions about artillery capabilities and took part in a demonstration representing more than 400 years of artillery. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, visited the Soldiers and presented his challenge coin as a thanks to the Soldiers for representing the VNG at the event. Soldiers assigned to the 1-111th are also currently on federal active duty in Iraq, and you can read more about their mission at http://go.usa.gov/xzECU. Read about the VNG’s historical connection to Jamestown at https://go.usa.gov/xzpjn.

03/18/2022

In this week’s Soldier Spotlight, meet, Sergeant Garland. Originally from Lynchburg, Virginia, she now lives in Roanoke, Virginia, where she works full time for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.

SGT Garland joined the Virginia National Guard for the education benefits. She enlisted as a 74D, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. She is now assigned to the 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment Headquarters as a member of the Battle Staff where she tracks troop movement and C-RAM engagements.

When not working for the Army, SGT Garland likes working out and being outdoors.

“The National Guard has taught me that Soldiers should never put limits on themselves. The Guard has lots of opportunity for personal and professional growth.”

03/17/2022

Virginia artillery battalion takes responsibility for air defense mission in Iraq

“Operational missions such as the C-RAM build and sustain readiness in our Citizen-Soldiers and enhance our warfighting capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Donald Bailey, commander of the 1-111th, also known as the First Virginia Artillery. “We have been preparing for months, and now is our time to execute this important mission. We will execute it with the tenacity and character each of you are already known to possess.”

The VNG

03/15/2022

Photos from 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade's post

03/11/2022

Many of our followers received a text message or e-mail link that claimed to offer discounted 1-111 FAR unit t-shirts. That message was spam and we recommend you delete the message immediately. We never directly contact our followers.

02/28/2022

In this week's Soldier Spotlight, meet Specialist Midkiff! Originally from A Co, 429th Brigade Support Battalion--where he serves as a 88M, Motor Transport Operator--SPC Midkiff volunteered to join @DET 1-111th FA for this year's deployment to the Middle East. He will serve as a Engagement Operation Center crewmember.

SPC Midkiff was raised in Halifax, Virginia and joined the Virginia National Guard for the education benefits. He is currently using those benefits to pursue a career in physical therapy.

"I am looking forward to improving my physical fitness and setting some personal records at the gym this deployment."

02/18/2022

As the Saint Lo Thunder Battalion continues a challenging validation exercise for its upcoming mission to defend against and defeat enduring indirect fire threats, please join us in wishing a sincere Happy Birthday to the following Soldiers celebrating a birthdate in February 2022:
Captain Anna
Specialist Baker
Staff Sergeant Bradshaw
Specialist Butchello
Sergeant Crosswhite
Specialist Duarte
Specialist Escano
Lieutenant Franklin
Specialist King
Specialist Kiser
Specialist Mason
Private First Class Mccracken
Sergeant First Class Mogush
Specialist Porter
Sergeant Proffitt
Specialist Quick
Sergeant Reese
Sergeant First Class Robertson
Major Roth
Lieutenant Russell
Specialist Washington
Private First Class Wells
Staff Sergeant White

Last week a snow storm hit our area. Stores were closed so we had to improvise in SPC Kiser's bday cake! Happy Birthday SPC Kiser!

02/15/2022

02/15/2022

Photos from Virginia National Guard's post

02/15/2022

02/15/2022

02/15/2022

In this week’s Soldier Spotlight, meet SPC Arrington! Currently assigned as a LPWS Crewmember with C BTRY 1/111th Field Artillery, SPC Arrington joined our Battalion in 2016 as a 13B, Cannon Crewmember. Originally from Hampton, Virginia, SPC Arrington joined the Virginia National Guard after high school to do something different than going to college.

SPC Arrington enjoys working with her hands, so 2 years ago she started working as a welder at the Newport News Shipyard.

SPC Arrington dedicates most of her free time to her six and one-year-old sons. While she misses them, she is excited for our mobilization and the opportunity to see other parts of the world.

“The Army helps me push me in ways that I would not push myself. This deployment will be a great experience for me because we get to do the same kinds of things as the active duty.”

02/13/2022

During this special month, let us remember and honor the Wereth 11.

11 African American Soliders of the segregated 333rd Field Artillery Battalion.

To read their story: https://wereth.org/en/history/

#rememberandhonor #blackhistorymonth2022

02/11/2022

New to TRICARE? Check Out TRICARE 101

New to TRICARE? Check Out TRICARE 101

Are you a recent TRICARE enrollee, newly eligible to enroll, or even a seasoned user? If you have any questions about your TRICARE benefits, you should first check out the TRICARE 101 page. Here, you

02/10/2022

First Virginia Artillery appreciates the Chief of Air Defense Artillery and Commandant, Brigadier General Richard Harrison, for spending his afternoon with Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Alpha Battery - 1/111th Field Artillery, and Bravo Battery 1st 111th FA "Steel Rain". During the visit, BG Harrison recognized many top performing Soldiers with challenge coins for their performance throughout the Counter-Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) new equipment training program and mission validation exercise.

02/08/2022

What is the maximum range of the M777A2 155mm howitzer? #FirstVirginiaArtillery #TriviaTuesday

02/08/2022

In this week’s Soldier Spotlight, meet Specialist Rone from Bravo Battery 1st 111th FA "Steel Rain"! SPC Rone grew up in the Woodbridge area and joined our Battalion in 2019 as a 13J, Fire Control Specialist. She joined the Virginia National Guard because she wanted to serve her community and for the education benefits the National Guard has to offer.

SPC Rone has taken a break from studying Criminal Justice and Psychology at Virginia Wesleyan University to mobilize this year as an Engagement Operation Center Crewmember.

"I am looking forward to seeing other parts of the world while on this deployment."

02/07/2022

02/06/2022

02/06/2022

02/06/2022

Photos from 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th IBCT's post

02/06/2022

Photos from 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th IBCT's post

02/05/2022

Congratulations to the United States Army's newest Second Lieutenant Elizabeth Ann Martin, who took her oath of office today at the Virginia War Memorial. She was commissioned into the Field Artillery branch as a member of the 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment.

First Salute was given by Master Sergeant Kevin Hubbard.

02/03/2022

81 years ago today, the 111th Field Artillery Regiment mobilized for Federal Service. As tensions rose in Europe and the Pacific, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the mobilization of the National Guard into Federal Service for 12-months of training to ensure readiness in the event the United States was drawn into the Second World War. The 111th Field Artillery Regiment reported to their home station armories on 3 February 1941 in good order and in-processed into Federal Service, a process involving a variety of administrative tasks and medical screenings.

Organized under the 29th Infantry Division, the 111th would move to Fort Meade, Maryland on 13 February 1941 to begin training and would have their work cut out for them. Most of the barracks intended to house them were incomplete, the closest artillery practice area was located in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, and their artillery pieces and rifles were out of date, World War I vintage equipment. The Soldiers would persevere however and participate in the “Carolina Maneuvers” in which the Army as a whole learned many valuable lessons.

The decision to call up the National Guard for training proved wise, when on 7 December 1941 the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor formally brought the United States into the Second World War. The 111th completed a reorganization and equipment modernization on 12 March 1942 and would then continue training in the United States until 25 September 1942 at which time they would begin the transit across the Atlantic Ocean for England.

02/02/2022

Field Artillery officer continues family legacy of Army service

Highlighting one of the most talented leaders in the 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment. Read Captain Adrian Fonville's story below on his journey into the diverse community of First Virginia Artillery!

In Capt. Adrian Fonville’s family, military service is tradition. Both his grandfathers served, as did his mother, father and stepfather. His is an all-Army family. Today, Fonville serves as the rear

02/01/2022

This week's Soldier Spotlight is SPC Fowler of Alpha Battery - 1/111th Field Artillery. SPC Fowler is assigned as an LPWS Crewmember for the mobilization. He followed in his older brother’s footsteps and joined our Battalion in September of 2020 as a 13B, Cannon Crewmember.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know my fellow Soldiers and gaining new life experience."

Originally from Long Island, New York SPC Fowler grew up in Prince George's county before moving to Chesterfield a few years ago. In his free time, SPC Fowler enjoys working out and spending time with his family, especially his 3-month-old son.

01/29/2022

Good Afternoon Saint Lo Thunder Battalion, Friends and Family,

This past month Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers of the Battalion exceeded expectations during the Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Rocket (C-RAM) New Equipment Training (NET) program. Next, the Battalion will perform a Live-Fire gunnery training event and then a Mission Validation Exercise. Our Soldiers remain hard at work learning the capabilities and operations on a wide array of C-RAM sub-systems to Command and Control, Sense, Warn, and Intercept Enemy Indirect Fire and Unmanned Aerial Systems in future operations.

We continue to receive nothing but commendation from the civilian contract support teams and active duty C-RAM military advisors guiding our preparation for deployment. As said during the ceremony prior to departing Virginia, I remain confident this Battalion will excel in the execution of this Air Defense Artillery mission in the Middle East.

I want to extend a special debt of gratitude to all the members of the various contract support teams helping to make our C-RAM NET a highly successful endeavor as we take a big step forward in deployment readiness. As the Battalion transitions to the range complex at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, we will post photos on Facebook and Instagram of live fire gunnery training in the upcoming days and weeks to give you an insider’s perspective.

Thanks again to former members of the Saint Lo Thunder Battalion, Civilian Employers, and Friends and Family for your continued support. The people of the First Virginia Artillery make this a special place to fulfill the call to duty.

Lieutenant Colonel Donald L. Bailey
“Never Unprepared”