W.Va. Chaplain Corps strengthens unity and readiness during annual sustainment training
April 21, 2025 — The West Virginia National Guard’s Chaplain Corps convened for its 2025 Annual Chaplain Sustainment Training April 4-5, 2025, at the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The training brought together 28 chaplains and religious affairs specialists from West Virginia and Maryland for two days of instruction, collaboration and strategic planning... MORE

Crucial battle against hidden threats to U.S. infrastructure being fought by West Virginia Guard’s AITEC
April 21, 2025 — The West Virginia National Guard’s Army Interagency Training and Education Center Critical Infrastructure Protection Battalion stepped into the national spotlight by hosting its first-ever Critical Infrastructure Protection Workshop, April 8-9, 2025, at Camp Dawson, in Kingwood, West Virginia. The event brought together representatives from over 37 states and territories, numerous federal agencies, and all levels of the Department of Defense to address the escalating threats facing essential U.S. public utilities, resources, and cybersecurity systems our country now faces... MORE

Key leaders gather for Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare Exercise showcase, reinforcing value of West Virginia’s unique training platform
April 18, 2025 — The West Virginia National Guard, in partnership with the Department of Defense’s Irregular Warfare Center, hosted distinguished visitors during the Ridge Runner/Ridge Healer Irregular Warfare Exercise (IWX) at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, on April 15, 2025. Participants were varied across the irregular warfare spectrum, all with an interest in Ridge Runner IWX, a special forces multi-domain exercise for both U.S. Forces, as well as Allied and Partner Nation forces, tailored to specific evolving threats and scenarios faced by modern special operations and conventional forces... MORE

Maj. Gen. Jim Seward Assumes Role as 37th Adjutant General of W.Va. Guard
April 3, 2025 — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey presided over a formal Assumption of Command ceremony for Maj. Gen. James “Jim” Seward as he undertook 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... MORE

Updates to West Virginia National Guard Social Media and Website Content
April 3, 2025 — In alignment with Department of Defense Instruction 5400.17 and recent executive orders issued by the president, the National Guard Bureau and West Virginia National Guard has reviewed and adjusted its social media content to ensure compliance with DOD policies and priorities... MORE

In alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 5400.17, “Official Use of Social Media for Public Affairs Purposes,” and recent Executive Orders issued by the President, the West Virginia National Guard has reviewed and adjusted its website and social media content to ensure compliance with DoD policies and priorities. As a result, certain posts, pages and content has been archived and removed or modified in accordance with federal guidance.

West Virginia National Guard reflects on flood response efforts
March 28, 2025 — Following devastating flooding across numerous counties in the southern part of West Virginia, Soldiers and Airmen with the West Virginia National Guard were activated by Gov. Patrick Morrisey alongside his state of emergency proclamation made on Feb. 15, 2025... MORE

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

130th Airlift Wing provides support for Florida Air Guard Firefighters
March 20, 2025 — The 130th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, provided C-130 airlift support for Florida Air National Guard firefighters with the 125th Civil Engineer Squadron as they trained at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Mississippi on Feb. 21-28, honing their emergency response skills... MORE

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.

Image Gallery

Cochran assumes command of West Virginia Air National Guard

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)

PHOTO BY: Edwin L. Wriston

VIRIN: 210728-Z-FC129-1223.JPG

FULL SIZE: 2.46 MB

Additional Details

CAMERA

NIKON D850

LENS

70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8

APERTURE

45/10

SHUTTERSPEED

1/500

ISO

900

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