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NEWS | Dec. 22, 2023

TAG Holiday Message to the Force

By Maj. Gen. Crane

CHARLESTON, W.Va.  –  

As we bring 2023 to a close and look towards the new year, I just want you to know how very proud I am of our entire One Guard family.

Throughout 2023, the West Virginia National Guard exemplified the National Guard motto of “Always Ready, Always There.” From scheduled overseas deployments, emergency and sustained domestic operations at home and across the U.S., to supporting critical emerging operations in the Middle East and Europe, we shined and demonstrated exactly why we are a premier military organization. Thank you for all you do and your commitment to your state and nation.

Looking ahead to 2024, our mission tempo continues to grow with opportunities to contribute to our national defense, provide for our homeland security, contribute to economic development here in the Mountain State, and to live our truest West Virginia values as citizen-Soldiers. You are what makes this organization great. You live the values that are instilled and expected every day.

As we enjoy some well-earned down time, I want everyone to spend time with your families, enjoy their company, recharge your own batteries, and take time to appreciate all we are blessed with in our Nation. I also want each Soldier and Airman to watch out for one another and keep each other safe and healthy.

It is the greatest honor of my life to serve you and our organization. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to all!!

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West Virginia National Guard reflects on flood response efforts

Members of the West Virginia National Guard conduct flood debris clearing missions in the city of Welch, located in McDowell County, West Virginia, February 18, 2025. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency in 13 counties due to a widespread flooding event that impacted the southern coal fields of the Mountain State. (U.S. National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)
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West Virginia National Guard reflects on flood response efforts

Members of the West Virginia National Guard conduct debris removal missions in Logan and Migo counties, West Virginia, March 4, 2025. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency on February 15, 2025, in 14 counties due to a widespread flooding event that impacted the southern coal fields of the Mountain State. Guardsmen have been assisting local officials and volunteers since to distribute relief items including food, water, and cleaning supplies to residents impacted by flooding, and assisting local officials and responder agencies with missions such as debris removal. (U.S. National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)
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West Virginia National Guard reflects on flood response efforts

Members of the West Virginia National Guard conduct debris removal missions in Logan and Migo counties, West Virginia, March 4, 2025. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency on February 15, 2025, in 14 counties due to a widespread flooding event that impacted the southern coal fields of the Mountain State. Guardsmen have been assisting local officials and volunteers since to distribute relief items including food, water, and cleaning supplies to residents impacted by flooding, and assisting local officials and responder agencies with missions such as debris removal. (U.S. National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)
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Maj. Gen. Jim Seward Assumes Role as 37th Adjutant General of W. Va. Guard

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey presided over a formal Assumption of Command ceremony for Maj. Gen. James “Jim” Seward as he assumed the role and responsibilities of The Adjutant General for the West Virginia National Guard at McLaughlin Air National Guard base in Charleston, West Virginia, Apr. 2, 2025. An assumption of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which recognizes the responsibility, authority and accountability of a commander. Seward assumes command of the WVNG which is comprised of more than 6,400 Soldiers, Airmen and civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Dejuan Haley)
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Maj. Gen. Jim Seward Assumes Role as 37th Adjutant General of W. Va. Guard

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey presided over a formal Assumption of Command ceremony for Maj. Gen. James “Jim” Seward as he assumed the role and responsibilities of The Adjutant General for the West Virginia National Guard at McLaughlin Air National Guard base in Charleston, West Virginia, Apr. 2, 2025. An assumption of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which recognizes the responsibility, authority and accountability of a commander. Seward assumes command of the WVNG which is comprised of more than 6,400 Soldiers, Airmen and civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Dejuan Haley)
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Maj. Gen. Jim Seward Assumes Role as 37th Adjutant General of W. Va. Guard

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey presided over a formal Assumption of Command ceremony for Maj. Gen. James “Jim” Seward as he assumed the role and responsibilities of The Adjutant General for the West Virginia National Guard at McLaughlin Air National Guard base in Charleston, West Virginia, Apr. 2, 2025. An assumption of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which recognizes the responsibility, authority and accountability of a commander. Seward assumes command of the WVNG which is comprised of more than 6,400 Soldiers, Airmen and civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Dejuan Haley)
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Maj. Gen. Jim Seward Assumes Role as 37th Adjutant General of W. Va. Guard

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey presided over a formal Assumption of Command ceremony for Maj. Gen. James “Jim” Seward as he assumed the role and responsibilities of The Adjutant General for the West Virginia National Guard at McLaughlin Air National Guard base in Charleston, West Virginia, Apr. 2, 2025. An assumption of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which recognizes the responsibility, authority and accountability of a commander. Seward assumes command of the WVNG which is comprised of more than 6,400 Soldiers, Airmen and civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Dejuan Haley)
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Exercise Eagle Resolve 2025 (ER 25)

Center: U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard R. Dickens, the Joint Task Force deputy commander and Qatari Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Shayeb Shahwani, deputy chief of staff for joint operations, pose for a photo during the “delivery of orders” brief, part of Exercise Eagle Resolve 2025 (ER 25), within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Jan. 16, 2025. The brief marks the beginning of the command post exercise phase of ER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mebea Demelash) Link to picture: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8845249/eagle-resolve-25-features-cyber-security-training
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Exercise Eagle Resolve 2025 (ER 25)

Center: U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard R. Dickens, the Joint Task Force deputy commander and Qatari Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Shayeb Shahwani, deputy chief of staff for joint operations, pose for a photo during the “delivery of orders” brief, part of Exercise Eagle Resolve 2025 (ER 25), within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Jan. 16, 2025. The brief marks the beginning of the command post exercise phase of ER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mebea Demelash) Link to picture: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8845249/eagle-resolve-25-features-cyber-security-training
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250223-Z-F3877-8274

Firefighters from the Florida Air National Guard and the West Virginia Air National Guard trained on an aircraft fire simulator at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Mississippi, Feb. 23, 2025, during combined emergency response training. The training focused on aircraft and structural firefighting, emergency response tactics and mobility readiness.
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167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight March 2025

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. David Rinard is a crew chief for the 167th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and he is the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for March 2025. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)
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167th AW defender completes U.S. Army sniper course

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ethan Wilson stands in front of the U.S. Army Sniper School sign after graduating from the sniper course at Fort Moore, Georgia, Feb. 24, 2025. Wilson is the first member of the 167th Security Forces Squadron to graduate from the course.
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Wright assumes command of the 167th Operations Group

U.S. Air Force Col. Randy Wright, 167th Operations Group commander, addresses the audience during the 167th Operations Group assumption of command ceremony at the 167th Airlift Wing base dining facility, March 1, 2025. Wright was the operations group deputy commander before assuming his new role as the 167th Operations Group commander. He began his military career in aerial port before becoming a pilot and has served in multiple roles within the operations group. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Edward Michon)
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Wright assumes command of the 167th Operations Group

U.S. Air Force Col. Randy Wright, 167th Operations Group commander, is pinned the rank of Colonel by his son and wife at his promotion and assumption of command ceremony at the 167th Airlift Wing base dining facility, March 1, 2025. Wright was the operations group deputy commander before assuming his new role as the 167th Operations Group commander. He began his military career in aerial port before becoming a pilot and has served in multiple roles within the operations group. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Edward Michon)
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Wright assumes command of the 167th Operations Group

U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Sigler, 167th Airlift Wing commander, returns a salute to Col. Randy Wright, 167th Operations Group commander, during the 167th Operations Group assumption of command ceremony at the 167th Airlift Wing base dining facility, March 1, 2025. Wright was the operations group deputy commander before assuming his new role as the 167th Operations Group commander. He began his military career in aerial port before becoming a pilot and has served in multiple roles within the operations group. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Kozak)
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W.Va. Guard team utilizes drone technology to increase port security

AITEC USCG PSRA Team Leads the Way in Drone-Assisted Infrastructure Assessments. Photo by Erica Bodker
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W.Va. Guard team utilizes drone technology to increase port security

AITEC USCG PSRA Team Leads the Way in Drone-Assisted Infrastructure Assessments. Photo by Erica Bodker
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W.Va. Guard team utilizes drone technology to increase port security

AITEC USCG PSRA Team Leads the Way in Drone-Assisted Infrastructure Assessments. Photo by Erica Bodker
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W.Va. Guard team utilizes drone technology to increase port security

AITEC USCG PSRA Team Leads the Way in Drone-Assisted Infrastructure Assessments. Photo by Erica Bodker
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W.Va. Guard team utilizes drone technology to increase port security

AITEC USCG PSRA Team Leads the Way in Drone-Assisted Infrastructure Assessments. Photo by Erica Bodker
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Video by Sgt. Cheryl Madolev, Staff Sgt. Mickey Miller, Sgt. Davis Rohrer
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