CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
The West Virginia National Guard closed out 2024 with numerous significant accomplishments, including homeland and emergency response missions, deployments around the globe, and sustained activation supporting West Virginia agencies at the direction of Gov. Jim Justice.
Throughout the past year, the WVNG maintained an aggressive domestic operations tempo, from deployments to support U.S. Northern Command’s Southwest Border Mission, to providing staffing assistance to the West Virginia Department of Corrections, Regional Jail Authority and Division of Juvenile Services, hurricane response missions to multiple states, to supporting and participating major events around West Virginia such as Bridge Day and the 2024 election cycle.
Internationally, the WVNG was also extremely active adding the African nation of Gabon as a third National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program partner, participating in more than two dozen large-scale multi-national exercises domestically and internationally including in Germany, Czechia, the Arctic, and Japan, and sending more than 300 servicemembers on extended deployments overseas.
“The past year has been a year of incredible growth and resolve for our Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Bill Crane, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard. “The men and women who comprise our entire One Guard family work tirelessly to secure and strengthen the Mountain State against all threats and to enhance our national defense both at home and abroad. As our American and Allied Armed Forces continue to transition from the Global War on Terror to a Great Power Competition posture and mindset, our focus remains on improving readiness and lethality, modernization of the force, and building strong and enduring strategic alliances and partnerships at home and around the globe.”
Some of the most significant Guard accomplishments for 2024 include, but are not limited to:
• The West Virginia Army National Guard was ranked 16th in the nation for retention and recruited more than 400 new Soldiers achieving 94.6% of 2024 end strength goals.
• The WVNG completed state active duty support for the West Virginia Division of Corrections due to chronic staffing shortages. At its height, more than 400 WVNG servicemembers were actively supplementing the DOC mission.
• The WVNG continued to support the United States Northern Command’s Southwest Border mission, deploying 49 Soldiers and four UH-72A Lakota helicopters from Detachment 1, Company B, 1-224th Security & Support Aviation Battalion to assist local, state and federal officials in combatting illegal immigration and human and illicit drug trafficking.
• The WVNG Ridge Runner Program continued to grow, hosting four large-scale Ridge Runner exercises throughout West Virginia involving more than 800 participants from 13 allied and partner nations. Ridge Runner also hosted multiple Ridge Healer exercises throughout West Virginia providing operators and troops real-world training in austere medicine environments to prepare partners and allies for the future fight.
• The WVNG signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the Irregular Warfare Center to formalize the existing WVNG/IWC partnership which includes enhancing opportunities for joint training exercises such as Ridge Runner and Ridge Healer programs, and additional sponsored events.
• More than 140,400 military and civilian personnel from around the globe attended training courses, conferences and special events during 2024 at Camp Dawson.
• New units joining the WVNG include the 1257th Engineer Firefighting Detachment, based in Kingwood, and the 1863rd Quartermaster Platoon, based in Buckhannon.
• Members of the 1st Squadron, 1-150th Cavalry Regiment were among the very first National Guard Soldiers to be issued and test the Next Generation Squad Weapons System, including the M17 Combat Pistol and XM7 Rifle.
• Hundreds of WVNG service members continued to conduct Military Civil Support Activities missions around the Mountain State in 2024 including providing support for West Virginia University and Marshall football games, Bridge Day 2024, the West Virginia State Fair, as well as participation in multiple additions fairs, festivals, and community events including parades, dedications, and special observances.
• The WVNG Military Funeral Honors team completed more than 920 missions working with Veteran Service Officers and additional veteran organizations to provide final rights and other support activities at veteran funerals.
• WVNG personnel participated in more than two dozen large-scale multi-national exercises domestically and internationally including in Germany, Czechia, the Arctic, and Japan.
• Members of the WVNG’s Counter Drug Program helped local, state and federal law enforcement seize and eradicate more than $12 million of illicit drugs from West Virginia streets while also mentoring more than 5,100 students in 32 schools via the Drug Demand Reduction Program.
• West Virginia Army National Guard and West Virginia Air National Guard aircraft and crews flew more than 9,160 total accident-free hours without incident.
• More than 150 airmen with the 167th Airlift Wing returned home to West Virginia in September after completing a three-month deployment overseas supporting airlift functions in theatre with other units as part of the Air Force’s Force Generation (AFFORGEN) deployment model.
• The WVNG hosted its third annual Retiree Appreciation Day where hundreds of veterans from all branches were in attendance and were able to get updated medical screenings, ID cards, legal assistance, learn more about retirement benefits, visit with dozens of vendors and agency representatives, and enjoy the camaraderie and fellowship that comes from service.
• The Patriot Guardens program opened the new Base Innovations facility in Charleston which will serve as a central hub for veteran entrepreneurs. It offers a variety of resources including workshops on business development, workforce training, office space rentals, and specialized assistance through the Jobs & Hope WV program, which helps in overcoming barriers to employment. PG also was featured in West Virginia Executive Magazine, spotlighting how the program is expanding West Virginia agricultural opportunities.
• An all-female aircrew from Company C, 1-150thAssault Battalion participated in the 3rd annual Girls in Aviation Day held at the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center in September, manning the very first flight in WVARNG history that an all-female crew piloted and crewed a Blackhawk.
• The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy programs graduated four classes with more than 290 cadets successfully completing the 22-week quasi military program. During 2024, MCA cadets participated in more than 120 community service projects with more than 16,000 hours donated contributing more than $515,000 to local communities.
• The Future Leaders Program served more than 1,200 students in 15 high schools in nine counties (Brooke, Clay, Logan, Monongalia, Putnam, Roane, Tucker, Upshur, and Wyoming) throughout West Virginia.
• The DoD STARBASE program which provides “hands-on, minds-on” Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Design and Mathematics (STEAM) basic and advanced educational opportunities for 5th graders in the greater Martinsburg and Charleston areas, hosted more than 4,300 students during 2024.
• The 249th Army Band participated in dozens of events throughout the Mountain State including events in Summersville, Grafton, Rowlesburg, Elkins, Follansbee, and Vienna. The band also continued to host its annual All-State Band Masterclass for aspiring musicians
• Master Sgt. Andrew Mencin, of the 130th Airlift Wing’s Civil Engineering Squadron, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service while deployed to Iraq where he served as the Fire Chief for Bravo, 443rd Air Expeditionary Group, 387th Air Expeditionary Group at Bashur Airfield, Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
• The WVNG had more than $373 million in direct economic impact for the State of West Virginia.
“No matter the mission, our One Guard family has met every assignment exemplifying our motto; “Always Ready, Always There”,” said Crane. “I couldn’t be prouder of the men and women representing our Guard who stepped up in 2024 to answer the call time and time again. No matter the challenges that may present themselves in 2025 and beyond, we stand ready to serve our fellow West Virginians and Americans both in times of need and of calm.”