VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD

The Virginia National Guard marked a milestone in Troutville Thursday, with a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion they’ve been waiting years for.

The two company-sized units will bring approximately 220 additional Soldiers to the area.

The group recently completed a one-year deployment to the horn of Africa.

270 soldiers in Lynchburg were recognized and received the medal.

They say dogs are a man’s best friend, and some of our bravest men got reunited with their four-legged friends.

From the New River Valley to the Roanoke Valley and beyond, emergency crews are preparing for the impacts of Hurricane Ian here at home.

Crews are on high alert coordinating their response to the winter storm expected Sunday.

The Virginia National Guard says preparation is underway ahead of a winter storm that could give some areas in the Commonwealth the most snow they’ve seen in nearly three years.

Volunteers can sign up to adopt a soldier, then receive their name, birth date, and hometown. You can write to your service member using custom stationery and have opportunities to send care packages overseas.

Hugging their families one last time, hundreds of Virginia National Guard soldiers were sent off Saturday to the Horn of Africa.

ROANOKE, Va. – More COVID-19 vaccines could be available in the Roanoke Valley as early as next week. Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health took some time to thank a few unsung heroes responsible for making the vaccination process a smooth one. Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Director of the Roanoke City & Allegheny Health District, said her team is indebted to the Virginia National Guard. “We couldn’t do what we’re doing in our community without the National Guard and our partners,” expressed Morrow. AdSince late December, the Roanoke City & Allegheny Health District has worked with vaccination partners to provide over 118,000 doses of vaccine (including second doses) to local residents.

The U.S. Army said that Jacob Fracker — one of the two off-duty Virginia police officers who have been arrested on federal charges related to the Capitol riot — is a corporal in the Virginia National Guard. Fracker wrote. In a statement to CNBC, the National Guard said, "Jacob Fracker is a corporal in the Virginia National Guard, and he serves as an 11B infantryman in a traditional National Guard status where he normally drills one weekend a month and two weeks of annual training." "He is not currently on duty with Virginia National Guard troops in Washington, D.C." the spokesman said. The Virginia National Guard will conduct an investigation into the matter, and we will be able to release more information when that is complete."

RONAOKE, Va. – After photos of members of the National Guard sleeping in the Capitol went viral, the community responded with the desire to send care packages. Full Screen Full Screen 1 / 4 Hundreds of National Guard troops hold inside the Capitol Visitor's Center to reinforce security at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Scott Applewhite)However, the Virginia National Guard Chief of Public Affairs Cotton Puryear said while they appreciate the donations, they “are not logistically able to accept donations of any kind.”Puryear wants to reassure the community that all 2,000 guard members are receiving proper lodging when off duty. He said when troops are lying down in the Capitol they are just sleeping in between shifts. Thirty states sent a combined total of 20,000 National Guard members to protect the government seat after the insurrection a week ago.

The Virginia National guard will be adding personnel in the coming days to assist civilian law enforcement with security operations in Washington D.C. The VNG personnel are scheduled to be on duty through the Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20. In addition to Virginia, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York are providing support. Civilian law enforcement officers are responsible for the safety and security of all personnel, and the National Guard will provide assistance as requested. The news release also explained the Department of Defense system is structured to require permission from the Secretary of Defense for out-of-state National Guard units to enter the National Capitol.

Officer Brian Sicknick died as a result of his injuries sustained while engaging rioters at the CapitolGov. Ralph Northam has released a statement, expressing sadness over the death of a Capitol police officer, who died as a result of Wednesday’s riots. “Officer Sicknick died as a result of injuries sustained during the insurrection at the Capitol on Wednesday. “Officer Sicknick was killed while doing his job—defending those trapped in the Capitol building amid a violent attack on our democracy. Last May, President Trump criticized Northam, to which the governor replied, “our potatoes are fine.”A few months later, in September, Trump called Northam a “crazy Governor.”

Ralph Northam made a strong statement in a tweet on Thursday afternoon. In case it wasn’t already clear: the current President poses a danger to our country every minute he holds office. — Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 7, 2021On Wednesday, he sent members of the Virginia National Guard, as well as 200 Virginia State Troopers to Washington, D.C. This is not the first time Northam, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican, have clashed. Last May, President Trump criticized Northam, to which the governor replied, “our potatoes are fine.”A few months later, in September, Trump called Northam a “crazy Governor.”

Ralph Northam announced that Virginia’s National Guard deployment will be extended until at least through Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20. I'm extending Virginia's National Guard deployment at least through Jan. 20, based on conversations this morning with our emergency teams and Washington D.C. Virginia state police also remain on the ground. We will be there until President-Elect Biden is officially sworn in. — Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 7, 2021ORIGINAL STORYVirginia is sending reinforcements to help law enforcement in Washington, D.C.Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Wednesday afternoon that he is mobilizing members of the Virginia National Guard, as well as 200 Virginia state troopers.

LEXINGTON, Va. Free coronavirus tests came to Lexington on Friday morning. The Virginia Department of Health set up a drive-thru testing site at Maury River Middle School, the first of its kind in Lexington since the pandemic began. "Its making sure those individuals who are uninsured or underinsured can get a test.VDH prepared 300 tests for the drive-thru line. "Its going to pick up if you are infected right now.The Virginia National Guard administered the tests, which took about 10 seconds to perform. The National Guard has taken more than 20,000 COVID-19 tests across the state, but this is the first instance where they have performed drive-thru tests.