116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

26/09/2025

Issue #19 of the 2025 Commonwealth's Guardian bi-weekly newsletter is available for download in PDF format at https://vngpao.info/2va7eab6.

In this issue:

180th Engineers begin federal active duty mobilization
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p99t42h

Ceremony formalizes return of 29th ID DIVARTY
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/yckvn8sb

Cyber operators train for response, mitigation at Cyber Fortress 25
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p8wf87b

VaANG’s Bosslift event enhances military-civilian partnerships
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/yckna9dt

VNG celebrates graduates of OCS Class 67, 68A, 68B
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/3s5nbab2

Virginia Air National Guard welcomes first Warrant Officer
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p8wta8z

VNG mobilizes troops for admin, logistics support to ICE
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2jw8x24h

Funeral Honors team trains to active-duty Soldiers
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/huwaxbuk

Virginia Defense Force authorized new uniforms
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p9x9677

Ceremony honors Epperly’s 36 years of military service
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/25yz3zxp

VNG ceremony marks anniversary of 9/11
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/2zme7kdx

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14/09/2025

Lt. Col. James W. Wells takes command of the Danville-based 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Lt. Col. Jason P. Detwiler during a ceremony Sept. 14, 2025, at Defense Support Center Richmond, Virginia. Col. Arthur S. Moore, 116th IBCT commander, presided over the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Detwiler to Wells. Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory T. Goldstein, the 429th senior enlisted leader, was keeper of the colors for the ceremony. The Virginia Military Institute Regimental Band provided music for the ceremony.

12/09/2025

Issue #18 of the 2025 Commonwealth's Guardian bi-weekly newsletter is available for download in PDF format at https://vngpao.info/2p86n5a5.

In this issue:

VaARNG recruiting battalion tops annual mission
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/msmbwmbm

3-116th Soldiers excel “in the box” at National Training Center
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/3hfkwwp6

Batterton succeeds Jumper to lead Virginia Air National Guard
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p967vzd

Harris succeeds Calley as VaARNG senior warrant officer
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/mrtndw3e

VNG aviators conduct water bucket training using portable tank
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2vh7jrhf

SAPR course provides refresher training to Soldiers, civilians
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p9xd2rm

Ceremony formalizes return of 29th ID DIVARTY
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/39hzzfde

Funeral Honors team trains to active-duty Soldiers
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/mry4wn2t

180th Engineers conduct departure ceremony
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/bdhwjfc6

180th Engineers, loved ones say farewells
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/ytxf6ys6

VNG senior leaders send of 180th ESC Soldiers
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/ycx6c6bt

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11/09/2025

A squad of four Soldiers assigned to the Woodstock-based Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team took first place out of seven squads competing in the Carl “Chubby” Proffitt Jr. Squad Competition, known as the “Chubby Cup,” Sept. 6, 2025, at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. A squad assigned to the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th IBCT also took part. Each team competed in a series of events including physical fitness, weapons assembly and disassembly, vehicle recovery, marksmanship, a ruck march, engaging targets with practice and live hand grenades, casualty evacuation and a pugil stick battle. The competition honors both the unit’s lineage and the legacy of Proffitt, who served with 116th during World War II, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Read more about Proffitt at https://vngpao.info/nsuvunny.

08/09/2025

Lt. Col. Nicholas K. Roland takes command of the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Lt. Col. Kevin J. Hoffman during a ceremony Sept. 6, 2025, at the Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Col. Arthur S. Moore, 116th IBCT commander, presided over the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Hoffman to Roland. Command Sgt. Maj. Justin A. Walkup, the 3-116th senior enlisted leader, was keeper of the colors for the ceremony.

29/08/2025

Issue #17 of the 2025 Commonwealth's Guardian bi-weekly newsletter is available for download in PDF format at https://vngpao.info/ycusvnpw.

In this issue:

192nd Ops Group conducts final change of command
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/53y4rkpu

VaANG’s Warren named among USAF’s top 12 Airmen of 2025
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p8w484r

Del. Feggans recognizes outstanding 192nd Wing Airmen
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/4dpa7vtt

329th Soldiers conduct maintenance exchange in Finland
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/4b9pd9x8

Nixon takes reins of the 203rd RED HORSE
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/bdhw8tee

Ceremony to mark activation of 29th Division Artillery
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/5dkm98fe

Sgt. Thornton honored with Arlington burial
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p9butmw

VNG aviators conduct bucket training using portable tank
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/4mu8kjdj

Zahm takes command of 34th CST from Mecadon
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/4pzjvm62

2-224th AVN Soldiers vie for German proficiency badge
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/ycku6ts4

SAPR course provides refresher training
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/bdzc39y5

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22/08/2025

The remains of Sgt. Ivor Thornton, a 29th Infantry Division Soldier killed in action at the D-Day landings during World War II, were interred Aug. 15, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery. His remains were finally identified and returned to the United States earlier this year more than 81 years after his death on Omaha Beach.
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/53m5whnw

15/08/2025

Issue #16 of the 2025 Commonwealth's Guardian bi-weekly newsletter is available for download in PDF format at https://vngpao.info/2p85b8m .

In this issue:

Ceremony officially opens VNG’s Roanoke RRC expansion
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/424uvfn8

Ribbon cutting celebrates opening of STARBASE Blackstone
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/ycvaer6a

Samulski succeeds DiNonno as 29th ID commanding general
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p93tmkm

Combined arms LFX marks milestone for 183rd RTI infantry training
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p97w6rx

VNG youth tackle adventure at 20th annual youth camp
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p8edkc7

Virginia National Guard to provide administrative, logistics support to ICE
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/bd5mhfen

Cyber Fortress 25 DV Day showcases cyber exercise
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/bdhap5x3

Cyber Fortress 25 to test cyber incident response
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/2p99vwfx

91st Cyber Brigade welcomes new senior NCO
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/3c9bk74u

Marcinko succeeds Leslie as Saber Squadron commander
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/5n77jej5

Remains of WW II “D-Day” Soldier to be buried in Arlington
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/53m5whnw

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15/08/2025

The remains of Virginia National Guard’s Sgt. Ivor Thornton, a 29th Infantry Division Soldier killed in action at the D-Day landings during World War II, are set to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery Aug. 15, 2025. His remains were finally identified and returned to the United States earlier this year more than 81 years after his death on Omaha Beach.

The remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Ivor D. Thornton, 34, of Martinsville, Virginia, killed during World War II, will be interred Aug. 15 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

10/08/2025

Maj. Paul J. Marcinko takes command of the Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Lt. Col. Sidney C. Leslie during a ceremony August 10, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Col. Arthur S. Moore, 116th IBCT commander, presided over the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Leslie to Marcinko. Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence F. McGrogan., the 2-183rd senior enlisted leader, was keeper of the colors for the ceremony.

18/07/2025

Issue #14 of the 2025 Commonwealth's Guardian bi-weekly newsletter is available for download in PDF format at https://vngpao.info/bddedwcn.

In this issue:

192nd Wing conducts agile combat training exercise
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/43kr5znn

116th IBCT tests new mobile brigade combat team organization
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/yckvcbvm

TAG, CSEL conduct key leader engagements in Tajikistan
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/25f349de

Moore takes command of 116th IBCT
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/mrxj6pwb

Hart family celebrates VNG enlistment with brother-led oath
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p8faams

111th FA Soldier among VNG’s World War II missing in action
~ Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p9d4nbt

116th IBCT conducts XCTC rotation
~ Photo collection on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/2f68jay5

Favaro succeeds Pearson as 229th BEB commander
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/5n88jmsh

Kelso takes command of 3rd Battalion, 183rd RTI
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/yckkpf2u

Brown, Turpin take charge of VDF’s 11th CRB
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/4cvr5myj

157th Engineer Platoon hosts USACE senior leader
~ Photos on Flickr at https://vngpao.info/2p8abehb

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