WVNG Supports our #OneGuard Families
November 9, 2021 — Before the COVID pandemic, Susan Izzo, lead Child and Youth Programs coordinator for the West Virginia National Guard, enjoyed going into communities and hosting outreach activities for military families... MORE

Graphic highlighting WVNG family programs. (U.S. Army National Guard graphic by Edwin L. Wriston)

Patriot Guardens farmer now featured at local restaurants
November 9, 2021 — When Nikki Parker began growing her vegetable garden a few years ago, she didn’t dream that her produce eventually would be featured at popular local restaurants. Thanks to connections made through Patriot Guardens, an agricultural initiative of the West Virginia National Guard, Parker’s Four Arrows Farm is supplying fresh vegetables to restaurants like 1010 Bridge and The Pitch. ... MORE

Nikki Parker, wife of Maj. Chris Parker of the West Virginia National Guard’s 111th Engineering Brigade, is supplying fresh vegetables to restaurants thanks to connections made through Patriot Guardens, an agricultural initiative of the West Virginia National Guard. (Courtesy Photo)

WVNG provides workforce development opportunities
November 9, 2021 — To help meet the state’s workforce needs, the West Virginia National Guard’s economic development office has created or participated in a variety of programs that provide education and job training to civilians and military personnel alike... MORE

To help meet the state’s workforce needs, the West Virginia National Guard’s economic development office has created or participated in a variety of programs that provide education and job training to civilians and military personnel alike, such as the Jobs & Hope program. (U.S. Army National Guard graphic by Edwin L. Wriston)

Strong Bonds Program Aims to Strengthen Relationships
November 5, 2021 — Serving in the military can place undue stress on couples and their families. But the Army’s Strong Bonds program is designed to help strengthen these relationships and create a more resilient and ready force in the process... MORE

Graphic for the West Virginia National Guard Strong Bonds program. The Army’s Strong Bonds program is designed to help strengthen these relationships and create a more resilient and ready force in the process. (U.S. Army National Guard graphic by Edwin L. Wriston)

Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy grad sets sights on West Point
November 1, 2021 — William Farkas is not like most teenagers. A simple conversation with the not-quite-17-year-old from Tunnelton quickly reveals his maturity, intelligence, and drive. Those character traits have earned Farkas, who graduated Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy-South in September, a service-connected nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. ... MORE

Former Mountaineer Challenge Academy Cadet William Farkas poses for a photo with his brother and father. Farkas has used his experience at the MCA to pursue an appointment to West Point. (Courtesy Photo)

FEMA tips engage kids in disaster preparedness
September 30, 2021 — Although disasters can be scary for everyone involved, the Federal Emergency Management Agency offers tips and resources for kids to help them stay safe before, during or after an emergency... MORE

167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight September 2021
September 21, 2021 — Tech. Sgt. Victor Carter is a vehicle mechanic for the 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for September 2021... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Victor Carter is a vehicle mechanic for the 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for September 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

167th Conducts COVID Vaccine Information Sessions
September 21, 2021 — The 167th Airlift Wing conducted COVID-19 vaccine information sessions in the wing auditorium during September’s unit training assembly, Sept. 11, 2021. The 167th Medical Group created and presented the session, titled “COVID-19 Vaccine: Informed Confidence”. The information sessions were directed toward the wing’s currently unvaccinated members, with a goal of communicating information about the COVID-19 vaccine, address concerns and answer questions from members. ... MORE

Members of the 167th Airlift Wing listen to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kevin Culbert, 167th Medical Group commander, as he speaks during a COVID-19 vaccine information session at the 167th base auditorium, Martinsburg, West Virginia, Sept. 11, 2021. The information sessions were directed toward the wing’s currently unvaccinated members, with a goal of communicating information about the COVID-19 vaccine, address concerns and answer questions from members. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Edward Michon).

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: SSG Michelle Navarro
September 21, 2021 — Like many Guardsmen, Staff Sgt. Michelle Navarro, 32, joined the West Virginia National Guard to find a career where she could use her skills and would benefit her and her family. “It became important to me to finish my education, secure a second form of retirement, and also help my daughters with college tuition,” she said. “The military allows me to further my education in ways the civilian world cannot.” ... MORE

W.Va. Guard highlights need for financial readiness/preparedness
September 20, 2021 — “Always ready, always there” is the National Guard’s motto. While Guardsmen and their families might think readiness is all about what they need to do to prepare for deployment, readiness also encompasses day-to-day preparedness. Being always ready means proactively preparing yourself and your family for any situation, including unforeseen emergencies and disasters. September is National Preparedness month, and our partners at the West Virginia Emergency Management Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency stress the importance of being financially prepared for emergencies to help provide peace of mind for you and your family and to build individual and community resiliency. ... MORE

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency works to repatriate service member remains
September 17, 2021 — The United States Armed Forces is committed to leaving no one behind on the battlefield, so much so that the ethos is part of both the Soldier’s and Airman’s Creed. But with the remains of more than 82,000 American service members killed overseas still missing, one Department of Defense office works to recover, identify and eventually bring those remains home... MORE

167th Airlift Wing fire fighters train on disaster response
September 17, 2021 — 167th Airlift Wing fire fighters participate in Vigilant Guard 2021 with intentions to grow their search and rescue capabilities... MORE

Technical Sgt. Robert Laidlow, 167th Fire and Emergency Services, monitors and keeps account of the firemen assigned to his team during collapsed structure training a part of Exercise Vigilant Guard 2021 August 27, 2021.

Memorial service held for 167th Airlift Wing flight doctor
September 17, 2021 — A memorial service to honor Lt. Col. Barry Rowekamp was held in an aircraft maintenance hangar at the 167th Airlift Wing, Shepherd Field, Martinsburg W.Va., Aug. 19... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Charlie Moore, 167th Operations Group loadmaster, delivers a eulogy for Lt. Col. Barry Rowekamp, during a memorial service held at the 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, West Virginia, Aug. 19, 2021. Rowekamp, the wing’s chief of aerospace medicine, passed on Aug. 6. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

W.Va. Guard Shares Suicide Awareness Resources
September 14, 2021 — September is National Suicide Awareness Month, and the West Virginia National Guard is sharing resources and information that can help Soldiers and Airmen care for themselves and their families... MORE

Suicide Prevention graphic. (U.S. Army National Guard graphic by Edwin L. Wriston)

Vigilant Guard 2021
September 13, 2021 — Belle, West Virginia (August 28, 2021) – Role-players await rescue in a notional emergency involving train colliding with a bus in Belle, West Virginia. Vigilant Guard is an annual large-scale disaster response exercise sponsored by the U.S. Northern Command in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau that brings federal, state, and local military personnel, public safety, first responders, and private sector partners together. The multi-day, hands-on and stimulated training exercise supports the development, enhancement, and interoperability of disaster response assets within a joint environment. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Kristian S. Karsten/Released)... MORE

Belle, West Virginia (August 28, 2021) – U.S. Marines from The Chemical Biological Incident Response Force practice decontamination measures during a notional response to an emergency involving train colliding with a bus in Belle, West Virginia. Vigilant Guard is an annual large-scale disaster response exercise sponsored by the U.S. Northern Command in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau that brings federal, state, and local military personnel, public safety, first responders, and private sector partners together. The multi-day, hands-on and stimulated training exercise supports the development, enhancement, and interoperability of disaster response assets within a joint environment. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Kristian S. Karsten/Not Released)

West Virginia Guardsmen played pivotal role in Afghanistan evacuation missions
September 8, 2021 — Soldiers and Airmen of the West Virginia National Guard were critical components of Operation Allies Refuge, the Department of State-led project of evacuating Afghan citizens, which took place prior to the United States’ complete withdrawal from Afghanistan Aug. 31, 2021... MORE

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster lll carrying Afghanistan evacuees arrives at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan. NAS Sigonella’s strategic location enables U.S, allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Central Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. William Chockey)

167th Airlift Wing undergoes inspection capstone
August 11, 2021 — The 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, W.Va., hosted about 50 inspectors and augmentees from the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command Inspector General Office, Aug 5-12, for a Unit Effectiveness Inspection Capstone event... MORE

U.S. Air Force Col. Hui Ling Li, and Kimberly Schmidt, medical inspectors with the Air Force Inspection Agency, go over a program with Capt. Mathew Wine, wing health administer with the 167th Medical Group, uses to manage medical inspections at Martinsburg, West Virginia, Aug., 8, 2021. Members of the AMC Inspector General completed a capstone visit with the 167th Airlift Wing over August unit training assembly, to gain information that ultimately generates a unit effectiveness inspection report.

167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight August 2021
August 11, 2021 — Airman 1st Class Ian Hose is an aircraft fuel systems specialist for the 167th Maintenance Squadron and the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for August 2021... MORE

Senior Airman Ian Hose is an aircraft fuels systems specialist for the 167th Maintenance Squadron and the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for August 2021

Longtime TAG assistant retires from West Virginia National Guard
August 11, 2021 — A “tremendous presence” within the West Virginia National Guard has stepped down. Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) Gary Isner, 78, officially retired Wednesday after nearly 49 years of full-time military and civilian work serving West Virginia and the nation. He has been with the National Guard through nine different Adjutant Generals, serving as executive assistant to four of them. He was the first Soldier in West Virginia to reach the CW5 rank, the highest in the Warrant Officer Corps. ... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) Gary Isner, 78, officially retired Wednesday, August 11, 2021, after nearly 49 years of full-time military and civilian work serving West Virginia and the nation in Charleston, West Virginia. Isner was the first Soldier in the Mountain State to reach the CW5 rank and has been with the National Guard through nine different Adjutant Generals, serving as executive assistant to four of them. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Holli Nelson)

167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight July 2021
August 2, 2021 — Master Sgt. Breanne Spessard is an aviation resource manager for the 167th Airlift Squadron and the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for July 2021... MORE

Master Sgt. Breanne Spessard is an aviation resource manager for the 167th Airlift Squadron and the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for July 2021.

Cochran assumes command of W.Va. Air National Guard
July 28, 2021 — Brig. Gen. David V. Cochran assumed command of the West Virginia Air National Guard today from Brig. Gen. Ray Shepard in a formal change of command ceremony held at the 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin Air Force Base in Charleston... MORE

Brig. Gen. David V. Cochran assumed command of the West Virginia Air National Guard from Brig. Gen. Ray M. Shepard during a formal change of command ceremony held July 28, 2021, at the 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston. The ceremony recognized the formal transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability for all WVANG operations in West Virginia from Shepard to Cochran, the second African American Assistant Adjutant General – Air in the state’s history. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)

Cochran Promoted to West Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General-Air
July 28, 2021 — As a young man growing up in Virginia with interests in piloting and engineering, Brig. Gen. David V. Cochran knew that pursuing an education through the U.S. Air Force Academy would set him on a path to success... MORE

Brig. Gen. David V. Cochran was recently promoted to the position of Assistant Adjutant General -Air for the West Virginia National Guard, July 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. De-Juan Haley)

Smith makes history as WVNG's first female Chief Warrant Officer 5
July 16, 2021 — After nearly 34 years in the West Virginia Army National Guard, Kristie Smith has become the first female Chief Warrant Officer to reach CW5 rank... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kristie Smith, smiles following her promotion to chief warrant officer 5 July 16, 2021 during a formal promotion ceremony. Smith is a property accounting officer at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, W.Va. and has served in the Warrant Officer Corps since 2002 and in the West Virginia Army National Guard since 1987. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Holli Nelson)

W.Va. Guard Soldier Spotlight: SSG Stacey Carroll
July 14, 2021 — For West Virginia National Guard Staff Sgt. Stacey Carroll, paying it forward is a way of life. The 68G Patient Administration Specialist Non-Commissioned Officer with WVNG’s Medical Readiness Detachment (MEDDET) lost two older sisters and two aunts to COVID-19 last year. While those devastating losses affected Carroll deeply, they also motivated her to do all that she can to make sure other West Virginians don’t have the same experience. ... MORE

Career Fair Opens Doors for MCA Cadets
July 13, 2021 — For many at-risk youth across West Virginia, the future is an unknown entity. But a career fair Wednesday at Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy-South helped cadets see their futures a little more clearly... MORE

Cadets from the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy - South located in Montgomery, West Virginia, participate in a career day fair, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The fair gave cadets an opportunity to explore options including military service, employment, and educational paths they might take after graduation from the ChalleNGe program. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Whitney Humphrey)

Deployed soldier prepares for future law career
July 12, 2021 — Juggling the important responsibilities of her job as COVID-19 Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for the 111th Engineering “Black Diamond” Brigade keeps West Virginia National Guard Sgt. Khadidja Diouf busy while she’s deployed overseas... MORE

West Virginia National Guard Sgt. Khadidja Diouf continues to push herself towards further academic achievements, even while deployed. Diouf currently serves as the COVID-19 Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for the 111th Engineering “Black Diamond” Brigade, and plans to attend law school after completion of her current deployment in the Middle East. (Courtesy photo)

Education vital to military, civilian growth
July 9, 2021 — While it can be overwhelming to wade through all the available benefits and programs, the West Virginia National Guard Education Services Office works to help Soldiers and Airmen figure out how to use benefits like the GI Bill, tuition assistance, and student loan repayment options, in addition to offering career guidance, credentialing services and test help... MORE

Graphic on education benefits and services.

W.Va. National Guard Adjutant General Visits Troops Deployed to Kuwait
July 9, 2021 — W. Va. National Guard Brig. Gen. Bill Crane recently traveled over 7,000 miles from West Virginia to visit Soldiers from the 111th Theater Engineer Brigade currently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield... MORE

Brig. Gen. Bill Crane, the Adjutant General of the W. Va. National Guard, recently traveled 7,000 miles away from West Virginia to visit soldiers of the 111th Theater Engineer Brigade currently deployed to the CENTCOM Area of Operations. Crane had the opportunity on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, to have a roundtable discussion with the current leaders of the 111th TEB, receive an operation and mission overview, and meet with the Soldiers currently assigned to Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

West Virginia, Qatar formalize military partnership
July 1, 2021 — Brig. Gen. William Crane, the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, and Staff Brigadier Khalid Al-Khayareen, Director of the International Forces Affairs Directory for Qatar’s International Military Cooperation Authority, officially signed an Expression of Cooperation June 21, 2021, between the State of West Virginia and the State of Qatar in Doha, Qatar. ... MORE

Brig. Gen. William Crane, the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, and Staff Brigadier Khalid Alkhayareen, Director of the International Forces Affairs Directory for Qatar's International Military Cooperation Authority, sign an expression of cooperation document between the State of West Virginia and the State of Qatar June 21, 2021, in Doha, Qatar. The expression of cooperation document signifies the official formalization of the partnership between West Virginia and Qatar as a part of the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Holli Nelson)

W. Va. Guard Family Assistance Program ranked first in the nation
July 1, 2021 — The West Virginia National Guard Family Assistance Program is ranked first in the nation according to the National Guard Bureau’s mid-year scorecard... MORE

West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General Brig. Gen. William "Bill" Crane shakes hands with Lead Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist Amy long to congratulate her on the West Virginia National Guard's Family Assistance Program recognition being ranked first in the nation according to the National Guard Bureau’s mid-year scorecard. The Family Assistance Program connects service members and families with financial services, home and auto repair and even foster care for pets while a solider or airman is deployed, along with providing additional services to service members and veterans. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)

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167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight October 2024

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler Barney is a loadmaster for the 167th Airlift Squadron and he is the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for October 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight October 2024

167th concludes overseas deployment

167th concludes overseas deployment

167th concludes overseas deployment

167th concludes overseas deployment

167th concludes overseas deployment

Gold Star Families keep names alive during annual West Virginia weekend retreat

Gold Star Families keep names alive during annual West Virginia weekend retreat

Gold Star Families keep names alive during annual West Virginia weekend retreat

Gold Star Families keep names alive during annual West Virginia weekend retreat

Gold Star Families keep names alive during annual West Virginia weekend retreat

WV Deployment Hurricane Milton

WV Deployment Hurricane Milton

WV Deployment Hurricane Milton

WV Deployment Hurricane Milton

W.Va. Guard, U.S. military leverages multicomponent expertise during chemical response exercise

W.Va. Guard, U.S. military leverages multicomponent expertise during chemical response exercise

W.Va. Guard, U.S. military leverages multicomponent expertise during chemical response exercise

W.Va. Guard, U.S. military leverages multicomponent expertise during chemical response exercise

W.Va. Guard, U.S. military leverages multicomponent expertise during chemical response exercise

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