West Virginia Army National Guard Medical Readiness Detachment Earns National Recognition for FY2024
July 14, 2025 — The West Virginia Army National Guard’s Medical Readiness Detachment (MEDDET) located in South Charleston, West Virginia, was recognized early in April 2025, as the top-performing unit for overall medical readiness among medium-sized states for Fiscal Year 2024. This prestigious national distinction highlights the unit’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the health and deployability of the WVARNG’s Soldiers... MORE

a soldier works on a "bloodied" medical dummy outside

First maritime infrastructure training of its kind supported by W.Va. National Guard
July 1, 2025 — April 11, 2025, marked a milestone for the West Virginia National Guard’s Army Interagency Training and Education Center U.S. Coast Guard Port Security and Resiliency Assessment Team when it joined the U.S. Army Reserve Civil Affairs unit based out of Syracuse, New York, to provide Soldiers with foundational maritime security knowledge, familiarization with port infrastructure, and assessment methodology, all essential for future mission success in coastal environments... MORE

130th Airlift Wing Soars in Remote Ops Exercise, Mastering Agile Combat Skills
June 25, 2025 — Airmen from the 130th Airlift Wing recently completed an exercise focused on demonstrating the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and Mission Ready Airman (MRA) concepts through a C-130J remote operations mission... MORE

W.Va. Guard flood response update for June 19th
June 19, 2025 — Closing out the day on June 19, 2025, the West Virginia National Guard has upwards of 170 Soldiers,... MORE

photos of the adjutant general in uniform talking at a press conference with the governor, visiting people, sitting around a conference table.

W.Va. Guard deploys troops in aftermath of deadly flooding
June 17, 2025 — Following severe flash flooding in West Virginia’s Ohio and Marion counties that began late in the day on June 14, 2025, Soldiers and Airmen with the West Virginia National Guard have been mobilized at the direction of Governor Patrick Morrisey, resulting in troops and equipment on ground as early as June 16th... MORE

the adjutant general visiting soldiers conducting flood cleanup. everything covered in mud, soldiers in camo uniforms and safety vests.

Deployed and documenting: West Virginia’s 153rd PAD supports multinational mission in Kosovo
June 10, 2025 — Four Soldiers from the West Virginia Army National Guard’s 153rd Public Affairs Detachment are currently deployed to Kosovo in support of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission. The unit has documented more than 200 missions, capturing the efforts of multinational forces through photos, videos and written stories that showcase patrols, training exercises and readiness activities. The 153rd PAD’s work has included coverage of high-level command visits, coordination with Kosovo Police and Security Forces, and public affairs support during a suspected terrorist attack in northern Kosovo. Their imagery was the first to be released by NATO following the event. The team has also documented U.S. and Ukrainian EOD training and multinational weapons qualifications... MORE

Locked Shields 2025: W.Va. Guard hosts NATO’s largest live-fire cyber resilience exercise
May 23, 2025 — The West Virginia National Guard hosted Locked Shields 2025, NATO’s largest live-fire cyber defense exercise, drawing more than 90 participants from the U.S. military, allied nations, federal agencies, and major tech companies. Set against a simulated invasion scenario, teams faced nearly 10,000 cyber-attacks targeting critical infrastructure. West Virginia National Guard played a central role in planning and execution, highlighting its growing presence in national cybersecurity efforts and strengthening partnerships through hands-on collaboration and legal interoperability... MORE

W.Va. Guard Family Programs earns first-time “GO” on national certification
May 22, 2025 — This month the West Virginia National Guard Office of Family Programs underwent rigorous Army and Air Force Accreditation which, once achieved, certifies programs in accordance with the standards set by the National Guard Bureau for Family Readiness Programs across the nation for the next four years... MORE

group photos of Family Program staff and volunteers at various events

WVNG, WVARNG Change of Responsibility

Command Sgts. Maj. James "Dusty" Jones, Phillip Cantrell, and James Allen took part in change of responsibility ceremonies held Feb. 2, 2019 at the WVNG Joint Forces Headquarters in Charleston. Jones assumed responsibility as the State Command Sgt. Maj. for the West Virginia Army National Guard from Cantrell. The state command sergeant major advises the Assistant Adjutant General - Army on all matters pertaining to the policies and actions that affect the nearly 4,000 enlisted Soldiers of the West Virginia Army National Guard. Cantrell assumed responsibility as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the West Virginia National Guard from Allen. The Senior Enlisted Leader advises the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to the 6,400 enlisted Soldiers and Airmen of the West Virginia National Guard. Family and friends of the incoming and outgoing leaders joined together to celebrate the accomplishments of Jones, Cantrell and Allen. (photos by Bo Wriston, Staff Sgt. Justin Hogue and Capt. Holli Nelson)

PHOTO BY: Edwin L. Wriston

VIRIN: 190202-Z-XR107-027.JPG

FULL SIZE: 4.56 MB

Additional Details

No camera details available.

IMAGE IS PUBLIC DOMAIN

This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.

Go to Gallery

Video by Sgt. Cheryl Madolev, Staff Sgt. Mickey Miller, Sgt. Davis Rohrer

WVNG Best Warrior Competition 2024 Video

153rd Public Affairs Detachment

March 19, 2024 | 4:11

Soldiers and Airmen from the West Virginia and District of Columbia National Guard compete in the West Virginia National Guard Best Warrior Competition held April 19-21, 2024, at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia. Best Warrior is an annual event where participants compete in a series of warrior training tasks including weapons proficiency on the M4 rifle, 9mm pistol, land navigation, physical fitness, combat first aid, tactical movements, communications, and professional development activities. Photos by 153rd Public Affairs Det., WVARNG