West Virginia National Guard joins international forces for cyber defense training in Qatar
March 25, 2025 — Members of the West Virginia National Guard Cyber Protection Team - Mission Element (CPT-ME) embarked on an unprecedented journey to Doha, Qatar, joining more than 30 cyber operators from six different nations in a multinational exercise known as Eagle Resolve 2025 (ER25), held January 9-23, 2025... MORE

W.Va. Guard team utilizes drone technology to increase port security
February 25, 2025 — The PSRA team, a unit within the Army Interagency Training and Education Center headquartered in St. Albans, West Virginia, conducts assessments at port locations throughout the nation in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard. These assessments provide an all-hazards look at a port's ability to detect threats, prevent attacks, protect critical infrastructure, and respond effectively to potential incidents. The results of these assessments help local, regional, and national-level decision makers enhance protective measures at ports and strengthen national security... MORE

West Virginia, D.C. Guard members compete in Qatar for historic 2025 Best Warrior Competition
February 10, 2025 — Sixty-five service members from the West Virginia and District of Columbia National Guard traveled 7,000 miles to Qatar’s National Service Academy for the 2025 Best Warrior Competition—the first held with a State Partnership Program nation and the first where a partner nation’s armed forces competed alongside U.S. forces. ... MORE

soldiers carrying ruck sacks walk down a dirt road into a sunrise

W.Va. National Guard Chaplain strengthens international partnerships at Africa Chaplains Summit
February 4, 2025 — Chaplain (Maj.) Justin Elliott represented the West Virginia National Guard at the Africa Chaplains Summit, hosted by U.S. Africa Command in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 24-28, 2025. The summit aimed to strengthen relationships, exchange best practices and enhance engagement through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program by bringing together military chaplains from partner nations... MORE

Chaplain (Maj.) Justin Elliott represented the West Virginia National Guard at the Africa Chaplains Summit, hosted by U.S. Africa Command in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 24-28, 2025. The summit aimed to strengthen relationships, exchange best practices and enhance engagement through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program by bringing together military chaplains from partner nations.

WV Adjutant General announced by Gov. Patrick Morrisey
January 29, 2025 — On Jan. 28, 2025, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the appointment of additional cabinet secretaries and key staff, including Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard... MORE

Camp Conley 2025 applications released
January 21, 2025 — We are so excited to release the 2025 WVNG Kids Kamp/Camp Conley applications!... MORE

We are so excited to send you the 2025 WVNG Kids Kamp/Camp Conley applications! Our 2025 program theme from NGB this year is “National Guard Kids: Your Adventure Starts Here!” and let me say this camp is most certainly an adventure! The schedule looks amazing, and we have so much fun packed into it including camp traditions such as firing ranges, EST, static displays, high line, fishing, swimming, rappel tower, drill & ceremony, and camp dance! We have some amazing end-of-camp plans underway, but it will be hard to top the carnival last year. We are surely going to try our best! Don’t miss out, register today.

As a recap:
• Dates: 22-27 June 2025
• Location: Camp Dawson, Kingwood WV
• For who: Military dependents ages 9-14, TagAlongs ages 5-8
• Cost:
o Campers, ages 9-14: $100 if registered between now and 1 April. Late registration goes from 2 April to 15 May and will be $125.00
o TagALongs, ages 5-8: $75.00 if registered between now and 1 April. Late registration goes from 2 April to 15 May and will be $100.00
o Youth Volunteers, ages 16-17: $50.00, registration deadline, 15 May.
o Adult Volunteers, ages 18 $ up: $50.00, due to background checks, registration deadline, 1 May.

Change of command ceremony marks Sigler's transition to lead 167th Airlift Wing
January 17, 2025 — A change of command ceremony to mark the transition of wing leadership was held at the 167th Airlift Wing, Shepherd Field, Martinsburg, West Virginia, Jan. 12... MORE

two men in uniform grip a guidon on a stage

167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight January 2025
January 17, 2025 — U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jessica Dubé is the First Sergeant for the 167th Medical Group and she is the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for January 2025... MORE

Image Gallery

Gov. Justice, W.Va. Guard celebrate Cantrell retirement after 32

Candid portrait of West Virginia National Guard’s Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Cantrell. Cantrell is retiring after a 32-year career in the United States Army and West Virginia National Guard where his dedication to service and professionalism provided a powerful and significant example to emulate for the enlisted ranks of the WVNG. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)

PHOTO BY: Courtesy Photo

VIRIN: 201030-Z-FC129-801.JPG

FULL SIZE: 1.64 MB

Additional Details

CAMERA

NIKON D850

LENS

70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8

APERTURE

SHUTTERSPEED

1/400

ISO

125

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.

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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