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The West Virginia National Guard welcomed the Qatar Armed Forces Military Police Forces commander and senior leaders during a tour of Scouting America facilities at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean, West Virginia, on Feb. 13, 2026. The tour was a part of an ongoing effort to strengthen international partnerships and to prepare for the Scouting America National Jamboree scheduled for this summer. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake.
West Virginia Guard, Qatar Strengthen Security Ties for Scout Event
By Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake, | Feb. 26, 2026
The West Virginia National Guard welcomed the Qatar Armed Forces Military Police Forces commander and senior leaders during a Feb. 13 tour of Scouting America facilities at the Summit Bechtel Reserve as part of an ongoing...

Firefighters from the 167th Airlift Wing were the first on scene at a Berkeley County garage fire on Feb. 7, 2026 preventing flames from spreading into the home’s main living area.
167th Airlift Wing Firefighters first on scene at Berkely County structure fire
By Erica Bodker | Feb. 23, 2026
Firefighters from the 167th Airlift Wing were the first on scene at a Berkeley County garage fire on Feb. 7, 2026 preventing flames from spreading into the home’s main living area...

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brett Fries, U.S. Army Pfc. Tyler E. Farley and Sgt. Devin Cantwell, members of the West Virginia National Guard, pose for a photo before their patrols in Washington, D.C., Dec. 31, 2025. On Dec. 15, 2025, they helped extinguish a dryer fire in an apartment building on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest. About 2,500 National Guard members are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, providing critical support to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of those who live, work in and visit the District. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Renee Crugnale.
West Virginia National Guard mission in Washington, D.C. to continue
By Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake | Jan. 29, 2026
As recently announced by Governor Patrick Morrisey, the West Virginia National Guard will continue its mission in Washington, D.C. through the remainder of the year, supporting ongoing efforts to assist with public safety...

Official photo of Capt. April McClung, a nurse assigned to the 130th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, who helped deliver a baby Dec. 23, 2025, outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's emergency room. Photo by st Lt. De-Juan Haley.
130th Air Wing Captain Helps Deliver Baby in Hospital Parking Lot
By Technical Sgt. Melissa Sterling, | Jan. 12, 2026
An West Virginia Air National Guard medical officer supporting operations in the nation’s capital helped deliver a baby in the front seat of a car just outside a hospital emergency room days before Christmas, turning a...

The West Virginia National Guard honors and remembers Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph
W. Va. Guard remembers first State Command Sergeant Major
By | Jan. 11, 2026
The West Virginia National Guard honors and remembers Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph "J.J.” Sale, Jr., who served as the first State Command Sergeant Major of the West Virginia Army National Guard...

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brett Fries, U.S. Army Pfc. Tyler E. Farley and Sgt. Devin Cantwell, members of the West Virginia National Guard, pose for a photo before their patrols in Washington, D.C., Dec. 31, 2025. On Dec. 15, 2025, they helped extinguish a dryer fire in an apartment building on N Street Northwest. About 2,500 National Guard members are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, providing critical support to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of those who live, work in and visit the District. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Renee Crugnale.
National Guard Stops Apartment Fire in the District
By Tech. Sgt. Renee Crugnale, | Jan. 5, 2026
Three West Virginia National Guard members on a routine presence patrol along N Street Northwest recently stopped a dryer fire in an apartment building after detecting the faint smell of smoke...

Imagery taken during the Mountaineer Challenge Academy – South Class 2-2025 graduation ceremony held at the Fayette County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, Fayetteville, West Virginia, December 19, 2025. Sixty-six cadets graduated from the 65th class since 1993 to complete 22-week residential MCA program. During their time in the program, the class completed more than 2956 hours of on 38 different community development projects, contributing more than $102,800.00 of volunteer efforts.
Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South Class 2-2025 Graduates 66 Cadets
By | Dec. 22, 2025
The West Virginia National Guard’s Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South program, located in Montgomery, West Virginia, graduated 66 cadets as a part of Class 2-2025/65 on December 19, 2025, at the Fayette County Soldiers and...

Governor Patrick Morrisey today formally announced that the State of West Virginia has requested the posthumous award of the Purple Heart for U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the same honor for Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe of the West Virginia National Guard for their service and sacrifice while protecting the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. WVNG Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Seward (at podium) joined Governor Morrisey to support the call for that highest honor for the Guardsmen.
Governor Morrisey Requests Purple Hearts for Guard Members Killed, Injured in D.C. Attack
By | Dec. 19, 2025
Governor Patrick Morrisey formally announced that the State of West Virginia has requested the posthumous award of the Purple Heart for U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the same honor for Air Force Staff Sergeant...

Mountaineer Challenge Academy – North Class 2-2025 graduation ceremony was held at Camp Dawson, Kingwood, West Virginia, December 12, 2025. Sixty-five cadets graduated from the 65th class since 1993 to complete 22-week residential MCA program. During their time in the program, the class completed more than 3,230 hours of on 44 different community development projects, contributing more than $112,000 of volunteer efforts. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)
West Virginia Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – North Class 2-2025 Graduates 65 Cadets
By Edwin Wriston | Dec. 17, 2025
The West Virginia National Guard’s Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – North program graduated 65 cadets as a part of Class 65/2-2025 on Dec. 12, 2025 at Camp Dawson, West Virginia...

Evalea Beckstrom and West Virginia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim D. Seward embrace during U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom's committal service at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton, West Virginia, Dec. 9, 2025. Beckstrom, a military police officer with the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard, was laid to rest with full military honors during the ceremony and interment. Beckstrom died on Nov. 27, 2025 due to a gunshot wound received when she was ambushed by a gunman while on patrol near the Farragut Square Metro Station in Washington, D.C. the previous day. Beckstrom was 20 years old and had served 2 years and 5 months in the West Virginia National Guard. Beckstrom is survived by mother Evalea Beckstrom, father Gary Beckstrom, sisters Nicole and Christina and brothers Bryan and Wesley. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Cdt. Ayden Norcross)
Spc. Sarah Beckstrom laid to rest at W.Va. National Cemetery
By | Dec. 12, 2025
U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, a military police officer with the 863rd Military Police Company, West Virginia Army National Guard, was laid to rest with full military honors during a ceremony and interment on Dec. 9, 2025...
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West Virginia Guard's 157th Military Police Company deploying to Cuba
December 3, 2019
Mike Hall, Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Justice, addresses Soldiers of the 157th Military Police Company during a deployment ceremony held Dec. 3, 2019, at the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg, W.Va. More than 160 Soldiers will be deploying to Guantanamo Bay for nearly a year to support U.S. Southern Command’s high-risk detention operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

Citizen Airman serves in Air National Guard and Civil Air Patrol
December 2, 2019
Civil Air Patrol Maj. Jacob Bixler, the Wing Director of Cadet Programs for Virginia Wing, CAP, stands in the conference room at the Winchester Regional Airport, as cadets participate in the CyberPatriot Competition, Oct. 27, 2019.  Bixler is also a technical sergeant in the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, serving as a radio frequency transmissions systems craftsman.

Charlie West Spotlight: November
November 27, 2019
Master Sgt. Darrin Hazuka, a crew chief assigned to the 130th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, poses for a portrait in front of a C-130H at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Caleb Vance)

West Virginia Adjutant General’s update on RISE West Virginia
November 22, 2019
Photo depicting Theresa Chandler's new home, which was officially given to her Nov. 22, 2019, through the RISE West Virginia program. West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (WV VOAD) built the home for Ms. Chandler through the RISE West Virginia program and this occasion marked the first completed reconstruction for VOAD. (West Virginia National Guard photo by Bo Wriston)

WVNG Hosts Peruvian General During State Partnership Program Visit
November 21, 2019
Members of the 167th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron pose for a photo with Maj. Gen. Mario E. Risco, Defense and Military Attaché to the Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C., during a State Partnership Program (SPP) visit.

WVNG hosts multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional swift water search and rescue exercise on Kanawha River
November 21, 2019
Three swift water boats below a Blackhawk helicopter, in a silhouette with the sun behind and rotor wash creating a misty fog across the river.

West Virginia Guard Engineers complete obstacle course project, assist local JROTC program
November 20, 2019
Photo depicting the completion of the Sissonville High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) obstacle course. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Bo Wriston)

West Virginia Adjutant General’s update on RISE West Virginia
November 15, 2019