DOD Implements Changes to Veterans’ Education Benefits
August 8, 2018 — The Department of Defense issued a fundamental change July 12, 2018, to its policy on the transfer... MORE

Not your father’s GI Bill: DOD implements changes to veterans’ education benefits

167th Airlift Wing welcomes new commander
August 8, 2018 — The West Virginia National Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing, held a formal change of command cere-mony Aug. 5, 2018, where Col. David “DC” Cochran assumed command from Col. Shaun Perkowski. ... MORE

Brig. Gen. Paige Hunter, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, passes the 167th Airlift Wing guidon to Col. David "DC" Cochran during a formal change of command ceremony held Aug. 5, 2018, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Cochran assumed command of the wing from outgoing commander Col. Shaun Perkowski. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

New policy prohibits DoD employees from using GPS services in operational areas
August 8, 2018 — Employees are now barred from using geolocation features on personal and government-issued devices in operational areas including deployed locations and sensitive bases, according to a new Department of Defense policy. ... MORE

130th Airlift Wing Force Support Squadron Change of Command
August 8, 2018 — Lt. Col. David Lester relinquished command of the 130th Force Support Squadron (FSS) to Lt. Col. Christian Capece during a formal change of command ceremony held August 5, 2018, at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia... MORE

Lt. Col. Christian Capece (middle) commits to taking command of the 130th Force Support Squadron from Lt. Col. Rick Thomas, 130th Mission Support Group Commander (left), as Lt. Col. David Lester (right) relinquishes command Aug. 5, 2018 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va. Capece was formerly the 130th Airlift Wing's Staff Judge Advocate, which he served as for the last 10 years. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Capt. Holli Nelson)

130th Airlift Wing promotes newest Chief
August 7, 2018 — The 130th Airlift Wing added a new Chief to its ranks August 4, 2018, at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Jason Evans, 130th Force Support Squadron Chief, gets his new stripes tacked on by his wife and daughter Aug. 4, 2018 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va.(U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Vance)

620th Signal Company holds color casing ceremony
August 7, 2018 — The West Virginia Army National Guard’s 620th Signal Company held a color casing ceremony Aug. 5, 2018, at the Hershel “Woody” Williams Armed Forces Reserve Center in Fairmont, West Virginia, to mark the company’s deactivation after nine years of providing enhanced Warfighter Information Network-Tactical capabilities to missions around the state and the world... MORE

Lt. Col. James Bowen, 771st Troop Command Battalion commander, holds the 620th Signal Company guidon while Command Sgt. Maj. Earl Layton cases the colors Aug. 5, 2018 during a color casing ceremony held at the Hershel “Woody” Williams Armed Forces Reserve Center in Fairmont, West Virginia. The color casing ceremony marked the company’s deactivation after nine years of providing enhanced Warfighter Information Network-Tactical capabilities to missions around the state and the world. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Zoe Morris)

156th Military Police maintaining law and order in Afghanistan
July 31, 2018 — The West Virginia Army National Guard's 156th Military Police Law and Order Detachment has maintained a strong, professional force in Afghanistan by providing 24-hour operations since January 2018... MORE

Military Police Investigator Joshua Higgins, 156th Military Police Law and Order Detachment, West Virginia Army National Guard, performs random anti-terrorism measure by checking culverts for tampering on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 28, 2018. Members of the 156th Military Police Law and Order Det. are deployed to both Bagram and Kandahar Airfields where they perform law and order operations for both installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Eugene Crist)

West Virginia National Guard raises recycling 2,000 percent through one Guardsman’s efforts
July 30, 2018 — West Virginia Army National Guard 1st Lt. Darin Cook was the right man at the right time for the Guard when a Department of Defense (DoD) executive order pertaining to federal sustainability was signed requiring a new emphasis on recycling and waste stream diversion. ... MORE

West Virginia Army National Guard 1st Lt. Darin Cook poses at the WVARNG recycling facility located in Poca, West Virginia. Cook serves as the recycling and integrated solid waste manager for the organization. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Brianna Lawrence)

World Scout Jamboree planners meet in West Virginia
July 24, 2018 — The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) 2019 World Scout Jamboree (WSJ 19) planning team hosted a tabletop exercise (TTX) July 17-18, 2018, at the Glen Jean Armory in Glen Jean, West Virginia to discuss the event to be held at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Fayette County, W.Va., July 22 – Aug. 2, 2019... MORE

Brig. Gen. Richard Kim, Deputy Commanding General of Operations, United States Army North (ARNORTH), thanks one of four Soldiers with the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) planning team July 18, 2018, at the Glen Jean Armory in Glen Jean, West Virginia. The Soldiers were instrumental in facilitating a two-day table top exercise to discuss the 2019 WSJ being held at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Fayette County, West Virginia next year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Zoe Morris)

W.Va. Guard Engineers support Resolute Castle, forge international relationships in Poland
July 14, 2018 — More than 120 Soldiers with the West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) 821st Horizontal Construction Company are taking part in Resolute Castle in Poland, a multinational joint training exercise for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and U.S. Army engineers that supports Atlantic Resolve, a demonstration of the United States’ commitment to the collective security of Europe... MORE

Pfc. Travis Kearns, a signal support system specialist in the West Virginia Army National Guard, assigned to 812th Engineer Company, 1092nd Engineer Battalion, 111th Engineer Brigade, based out of Eleanor, West Virginia, uses a rake to level out the recently placed gravel while at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, during Resolute Castle, July 12, 2018. Resolute Castle is a multinational training exercise for NATO and U.S. Army engineers, which supports Atlantic Resolve by promoting interoperability. Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of the United States’ commitment to the collective security of Europe through the deployment of rotational U.S. forces in cooperation with NATO ally and partner nations.

Governor, Adjutant General highlight impact of National Guard during plane naming ceremony
July 6, 2018 — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, joined the commander of the 130th Airlift Wing, Col. Johnny Ryan, to unveil a new name for one of the 130th AW’s C-130H aircraft as “Pride of West Virginia” during a formal ceremony held today at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston. ... MORE

Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, discusses the economic impact of the WVNG during a plane naming ceremony held July 6, 2018 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia. The 130th AW unveiled a C-130H with the name “Pride of West Virginia” during the ceremony and Gov. Jim Justice thanked Guardsmen and women for their service to West Virginia and the nation.

167AW Airman Spotlight July 2018
July 3, 2018 — Tech. Sgt. Alex Whalton is a client systems technician for the 167th Communications Flight and the 167th Airlift Wing's Airman Spotlight for July 2018... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Alex Whalton is a client systems technician for the 167th Communications Flight and the 167th Airlift Wing's Airman Spotlight for July 2018. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

249th Band celebrate Independence Day, Partnership, in Peru
July 3, 2018 — The West Virginia National Guard’s (WVNG) 249th Mountaineer Rock Band celebrated the Fourth of July in Peru on a week-long public diplomacy engagement tour in Lima and Piura consisting of concerts and talks with youth and the general public, as well as several high-level celebrations... MORE

The 249th Band joined the Peruvian Armed Forces (PAF) “Mariscal Nieto” Cavalry Regiment to participate in the changing of the guard at Peru’s Presidential Palace on July 3, 2018, as the first foreign band to take part in the ceremonial event. The same day, the band showcased their talents at the official Independence Day celebration at the United States Department of State Chief of Mission Residence in Lima. The tour was also a celebration of the 21-year relationship between the WVNG and PAF through the State Partnership Program (SPP).

W.Va. Guard children’s camp receives new name in 2018
June 29, 2018 — W.Va. Guard children’s camp receives new name in 2018 in honor of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Conley... MORE

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Conley, West Virginia National Guard Youth Camp Director, is presented with a banner in honor of all his hard work throughout the years in support of the West Virginia National Guard Youth Programs that certifies the West Virginia Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James Hoyer's decision to rename the West Virginia National Guard Kids Kamp to Camp Conley. The camp started in 1991 and gives children of service members a chance to experience some of the aspects of military life that their parents or family members endure during deployments.

167th extended drill leads into deployment exercise
June 12, 2018 — The 167th Airlift Wing conducted a four-day extended drill at the unit June 7th through 10th and plans to exercise some unused skills during a deployment exercise to Alpena, Mich... MORE

Senior Airman James Reynolds III (left), a 167th medical technician, works with Airman 1st Class Paul Sexton, a 167th aerospace propulsion mechanic, to pass out gear in a deployment mobility line at the 167th Airlift Wing, June 8, 2018. The wing plans to exercise some unused skills during a deployment exercise to Alpena, Mich., June 9-14. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jodie Witmer)

Airman, social worker urges Airmen to volunteer in schools
June 12, 2018 — Tiffany Hendershot conveyed the devastating impact opioid addictions are having on local children during a Lunch and Learn event here at the 167th Airlift Wing, May 30. She also outlined a number of ways that service members and community members can get involved to help at-risk children... MORE

Tiffany Hendershot, a clinical social worker for Berkeley County, W.Va. schools and an aircraft maintenance non-destructive inspection technician for the 167th Airlift Wing, discusses the impact opioid use is having on students in Martinsburg, W.Va., during a lunch and learn event at the Wing, May 30. Hendershot urged participants to get involved with the local schools, volunteer and mentor students. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

WVNG teams up with local fire, CAMC teams for search and extraction training
June 12, 2018 — West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) Soldiers joined the Charleston Fire Department (CFD) search and extraction team Friday, June 8, at a Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) property in the midst of being demolished for a real-life scenario training event... MORE

Soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard’s Joint Interagency Training and Education Center teamed up with the Charleston Fire Department search and extraction team June 8, 2018 at a Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) property in the midst of being demolished to conduct real-life search and extraction training. JITEC Search and Rescue instructors joined the fire fighters to sharpen their skills as instructors and bring their training experiences back to the Guard to enhance first responder capabilities.

Swift water, aviation troops dive into training to earn FEMA Level 1 certification
June 11, 2018 — Soldiers from the West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) and the West Virginia Swift Water Rescue Team (WVSWRT) recently attained the necessary training and certification to identify as a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Type 1 swift water/flood search and rescue team within the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the comprehensive, national approach to disaster response... MORE

A West Virginia Swift Water Team member attempts to rescue a mock victim from the Cheat River during Swift Water Rescue training held June 11, 2018 near Camp Dawson, W.Va. The WVSWRT was developed after the devastating floods of 2016 that impacted all 55 counties of the state of West Virginia to assist citizens in a time of need.

WVNG Soldier provides influence for NCO development in Peruvian Army
June 7, 2018 — The U.S. Army South (ARSOUTH) and a member of the West Virginia National Guard’s (WVNG) State Partnership Program (SPP) conducted a combined workshop in Lima, Peru from May 28 through June 1, 2018, with Peruvian Army (PERAR) officers and NCOs in order to provide a foundation for institutional change to education and leader development within the PERAR NCO corps... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Héctor Guillén, West Virginia National Guard State Partnership Program coordinator and Peru native, poses with members of the U.S. Army South Non-commissioned officer (NCO) professional development team and Peruvian Army June 1, 2018 in Lima, Peru. Guillén provided training in Spanish on NCO leadership and development to the Peruvian Army.

130th Airlift Wing student rocks the 154th school house
May 31, 2018 — A flight engineer, who is an enlisted member of the aircraft’s flight crew, monitors and operates the aircraft’s complex systems. To become a flight engineer, an Airman must first have a feeder Air Force specialty code in one of many maintenance career fields within the Air National Guard. The service member must also be selected over peers to participate in the program. The entire course is approximately 11 months, with six of the months at Little Rock Air Force Base for academic and flying training. From C-130H simulator training to performing on the actual aircraft, Corker broadened her perception and knowledge of the flight engineer career field... MORE

Staff Sgt. Megan Corker, an Airman assigned to the 130th Airlift Wing in West Virginia, records take-off and landing data after her final checkride May 16, 2018, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Corker performed exceptionally as a student in the 189th Airlift Wing's flight engineer course, graduating ahead of her peers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Condit)

W.Va. Guard provides medical support to Virgin Islands National Guard
May 24, 2018 — The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) recently provided assistance to the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING) for their annual physical health assessments (PHA), offering dental and hearing testing support... MORE

West Virginia Army National Guard Maj. Gerald Clark, a dentist with the Medical Detachment, gives a dental examination to Virgin Islands National Guard Private 1st Class DA-Aldo Prince of the 661st Military Police Law and Order Detachment May 19, 2018. The WVARNG supported the VING during their annual Periodic Health Assessments held on St. Croix, VI. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Army Sgt. Priscilla Desormeaux)

W.Va. Guard lends support to Hawaii Joint Operations Center
May 24, 2018 — Two members of the West Virginia Army National Guard’s (WVNG) Joint Interagency Education and Training Center, Maj. William Estep and Capt. Christopher Parker, are currently supporting the Hawaii Joint Operations Center (JOC) in Oahu as joint enabling team members as the state battles volcanic activity and lava flow on the island of Hawaii... MORE

Capt. Christopher Parker and Maj. William Estep pose for a photo inside the Hawaii Joint Operations Center May 23, 2018 in Oahu, Hawaii.

Qatar, West Virginia Guard Establish New Partnership
May 18, 2018 — Key leaders from Qatar, the state of West Virginia and the West Virginia National Guard met here May 14 to discuss and celebrate their newly formed partnership... MORE

Brig. Gen. Yousef Al Kuwari, the Qatar Defense Attaché, laughs with a pilot from the 167th Airlift Wing as he grabs the controls of a C-17 Globemaster III May 14, 2018 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va. Members of the Qatar Defense Attaché Office of the Qatar Embassy in the United States, representing Qatar’s Ministry of Defense, discussed developing further relationships between Qatar and West Virginia during their visit. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Vance)

Qatar, West Virginia leaders meet at onset of new partnership
May 16, 2018 — Key leaders from Qatar, the state of West Virginia and the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) met, May 14, 2018, in West Virginia’s capital city to discuss and celebrate their newly-formed partnership... MORE

West Virginia Guard member translates language skills into dream job in Peru
May 16, 2018 — West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) Capt. Joseph Reppert graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Master of Arts in Linguistics but wasn’t aware of how his expertise would shape his military career... MORE

NGB’s State Partnership Program celebrates 25 years
May 15, 2018 — ARLINGTON, Va. – In some ways, the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program – which pairs... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Harry R. Martinez, right, with the New Jersey Army National Guard, demonstrates how to load an ammunition drum on a M249 squad automatic weapon to Albanian Officer Candidate Endri Deda while training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The New Jersey National Guard and Albania are paired together as part of the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, which links National Guard elements with partner nations worldwide. The SPP began with three partnerships in 1993 and now, 25 years later, includes 74 partnerships spanning the globe.

Airman credits one Vietnam Veteran as his motivation to serve
May 5, 2018 — This story was written in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrated each year in May. Tech. Sgt. Michael Thompson, an electronic integrated systems mechanic for the 167th Airlift Wing’s communications, countermeasures and navigation systems section, was inspired by one Vietnam Veteran to join the military... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Michael Thompson, an electronic systems mechanic for the 167th Maintenance Group, credits a Vietnam Veteran with helping his family and inspiring him to join the military. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

West Virginia National Guard selected as State Partnership Program partner for Qatar
April 20, 2018 — The West Virginia National Guard has been notified of its selection to partner with Qatar as a part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, expanding its successful program to a second partner nation... MORE

130th Airlift Wing’s Vance earns new military photographer of the year award
March 27, 2018 — Airman 1st Class Caleb Vance, a photojournalist with the 130th Airlift Wing, earned national level recognition by being named the “New Military Photographer of the Year” from the Air National Guard... MORE

Studio photo of Airman 1st Class Caleb Vance. Vance was selected as the Air National Guard's "New Military Photographer of the Year" for 2017. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. De-Juan Haley)

Airmen complete African Partnership Flight Senegal
March 23, 2018 — CAPTAIN ANDALLA CISSÉ AIR BASE, Senegal -- African Partnership Flight Senegal came to an end after a closing ceremony at Captain Andalla Cissé Air Base, Senegal, March 23. ... MORE

Participants of African Partnership Flight Senegal prepare to board a C-130H Hercules, assigned to the 130th Airlift Wing, West Viginia Air National Guard, at Captain Andalla Cissé Air Base, Senegal, March 22, 2018. The APF program is U.S. Air Forces Africa’s premier security cooperation program with African partner nations to improve professional military aviation knowledge and skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier)

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West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

The West Virginia National Guard hosted its first Norwegian Foot March on September 8, 2024. The 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) march took place on the Elk River Trail in Clendenin, West Virginia, with 25 participants. (West Virginia National Guard photos by Erica Bodker)

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success

West Virginia Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South Class 62 Graduates 58 Cadets

West Virginia Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South Class 62 Graduates 58 Cadets

West Virginia Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South Class 62 Graduates 58 Cadets

West Virginia Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South Class 62 Graduates 58 Cadets

WV STARBASE: Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Innovators

WV STARBASE: Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Innovators

WV STARBASE: Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Innovators

167th Airmen deploy as Mission Generation Force Element

167th Airmen deploy as Mission Generation Force Element

167th Airmen deploy as Mission Generation Force Element

167th Airmen deploy as Mission Generation Force Element

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