Red Ribbon Week Kicks Off with Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts
October 31, 2024 — Red Ribbon Week was observed with a new event this year aimed at promoting substance abuse prevention. Samuel Reeder, the West Virginia Army National Guard Substance Abuse Prevention coordinator, partnered with the West Virginia Air National Guard 130th Airlift Wing Fire and Rescue Dept. to host a Jaws of Life demonstration at Joint Forces Headquarters on Oct. 28, 2024, followed by a resource fair and a movie with popcorn in the Drill Hall... MORE

West Virginia Air National Guard 130th Airlift Wing Fire and Rescue Dept. to host a Jaws of Life demonstration at Joint Forces Headquarters on Oct. 28, 2024

1st Lt. Benjamin Augustus Flohr: A Legacy of Leadership and Service
October 27, 2024 — Today's spotlight is 1st Lt. Benjamin Augustus Flohr, a Grafton, West Virginia native, who has served in the West Virginia Army National Guard for four years. As a scout platoon leader in C -Troop, 1st Battalion, 150th Cavalry Regiment, Flohr is responsible for the training, coordination, organization, and overall effectiveness of 1st Platoon... MORE

spotlight of 1st Lt. Benjamin Augustus Flohr

Master Sgt. Kristen Windle: A Legacy of Leadership and Dedication
October 27, 2024 — Today's spotlight Master Sgt. Kristen Windle has served the West Virginia Air National Guard since Feb. 6, 2011. Coming from Inwood, West Virginia, Windle now resides in Kearneysville and serves as operations group administer in the 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, West Virginia... MORE

Spotlight on Sgt. 1st Class Anthony R.Smith: A Career Built on Service and Resiliency
October 13, 2024 — Sgt. 1st Class Anthony R. Smith has dedicated 21 years to serving in the military. Originally from Utica, Ohio and now residing in Dublin, Virginia, Smith is a leader and finance professional in the West Virginia Army National Guard... MORE

spotlight, male, kid, wvng, national guard, soldier

167th concludes overseas deployment
October 11, 2024 — Airmen with the 167th Airlift Wing returned home to West Virginia on Sept. 26, ending a three-month deployment overseas... MORE

a group of airmen carrying bags walk across a flight line

167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight October 2024
October 11, 2024 — Airman 1st Class Tyler Barney is a C-17 Globemaster aircraft loadmaster for the 167th Airlift Squadron and he is the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for October 2024... MORE

a man in unform stands next to a control panel in the cargo area of an aircraft

Video, 2024 Gold Star Weekend Retreat
October 10, 2024 — Families, friends and Guard Members honor and remember service members who died in the course of military service, with activities and ceremonies held at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, on Sept. 27-29, 2024. ... MORE

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Gold Star Families keep names alive during annual West Virginia weekend retreat
October 10, 2024 — To aid in the mission of “Honor and Remember,” the West Virginia National Guard hosts a Gold Star Families Retreat at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, the last weekend in September every year. The event is a chance to honor the service and sacrifice of both the family members and their loved ones who died in the course of military service... MORE

West Virginia Air National Guard prepares to deploy South for Severe Weather Response Mission
October 9, 2024 — CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Members of the130th Airlift Wing’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team gathered together to receive parting words from West Virginia National Guard Leadership on Oct. 9, 2024, as they prepared to deploy to Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton... MORE

Brigadier General David Cochran, Commander of the West Virginia Air National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General for Air, encourages members of FSRT ahead of their departure for the impending Severe Weather Response mission in Florida. Fatality Search and Rescue Teams (FSRT) are multi-capable airmen trained and certified to respond to a wide range of disasters and hazards, recover the remains of the deceased, and reunite the remains of those lost with their loved ones.(U.S. Air National Guard photo by,2d Lt DeJuan Haley)

Gov. Justice, National Guard deploy search and recovery team, engineers to Florida for Hurricane Milton response
October 8, 2024 — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has activated approximately 40 members of the West Virginia National Guard to support response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Milton, which is projected to make landfall in Florida on October 9, 2024... MORE

W.Va. Army Guard, U.S. military leverages multicomponent expertise during chemical response exercise
October 8, 2024 — The 35th Civil Support Team (WMD) excels as part of U.S. Army 20th CBRNE Command's Exercise Toxic Buckeye, a Chemical Incident or Mishap Response and Assistance (CIMRA) exercise at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, W.Va., that brought together nearly 300 personnel from 52 Federal, state, local and private industry partners... MORE

People in military uniforms, firefighter gear and protective gear working outside on a cloudy day

Spotlight on Master Sgt. Raymond Patrick Franze II: A Legacy in Fuels Management
October 6, 2024 — Master Sgt. Raymond Patrick Franze II from Dover, Delaware, is currently assigned to the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing as a Fuels Management Flight Leader and an October 2024 West Virginia National Guard Spotlight... MORE

graphic showing 3 photos of MSgt. Patrick in uniform with his name, hometown and age

All-Female West Virginia National Guard Aircrew Supports Girls in Aviation Day
September 30, 2024 — An all-female aircrew from the West Virginia National Guard participated in the 3rd annual Girls in Aviation Day held at the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, September 28, 2024. The aircrew piloted their “unmanned” UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter to the event, landing to the cheers and applause of hundreds of young girls and teens who came to the event meant to inspire and expose young females to the broad range of career opportunities in the aviation industry. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)... MORE

Spotlight on Cpt. Andrew M. Tanner: A Dedicated Pilot and Leader
September 22, 2024 — Cpt. Andrew M. Tanner, from Sunrise, Ohio, has served in the West Virginia Army National Guard for 11 years. Currently serving with the Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Tanner’s role involves responsibilities in the unit's operations and planning. His experience as a pilot includes flying the C-12 Huron aircraft and UH-60 Blackhawk and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. ... MORE

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2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) welcomes new commander
September 20, 2024 — The 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 77th Brigade Troop Command held a change of command ceremony September 14, 2024, at the Kenova Armed Forces Readiness Center in Kenova, West Virginia... MORE

men in U.S. Army uniforms in formation, watching a change of command ceremony which includes passing a guidon flag

171st Force Support Squadron sharpens combat readiness in West Virginia
September 19, 2024 — Airmen from the 171st Force Support Squadron, along with Airmen from various 171st Commander’s Support Staff, completed an intensive Expeditionary Force Support training Aug. 4-9 at Camp Dawson, West Virginia... MORE

Guardsmen assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing Force Support Squadron, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, stand for a group photo during Expeditionary Force Support training Aug. 8, 2024, at Camp Dawson, West Virginia. The training is a crucial part of the squadron’s commitment to maintaining readiness and enhancing the capabilities of its members. (Courtesy Photo)

West Virginia’s first Norwegian Foot March a success
September 16, 2024 — The West Virginia National Guard held its first Norwegian Foot March on Sept. 8, 2024, joining in a military tradition meant to test endurance since 1915. The 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) march took place on the Elk River Trail in Clendenin, West Virginia and started in the pre-dawn hours Sunday... MORE

Spotlight on Lt. Col. Joshua Greenspan: Expert Pilot and Dedicated Family Man
September 15, 2024 — Lt. Col. Joshua Greenspan, from Reston, Va., brings extensive experience to his role as the Chief of Standards and Evaluations for the 167th Operations Group, 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia National Guard. With 12 years of active duty and seven years in the National Guard, Greenspan excels as a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft instructor and evaluator pilot, assessing combat-ready aircrews and performing critical worldwide airlift missions. ... MORE

Spotlight on Staff Sgt. Colten Dorsey: Dedicated Medic and Community Leader
September 8, 2024 — Staff Sgt. Colten Dorsey, from Rupert, West Virginia, is a member of the 130th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Environmental Enhanced Response Force Package Medical Detachment and a September 2024 spotlight. With five years of service as a medical technician and search and extraction medic, Dorsey specializes in triage and lifesaving interventions during CBRNE attacks. ... MORE

Airman Spotlight Staff Sergeant Colten Dorsey

West Virginia Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South Class 62 Graduates 58 Cadets
September 6, 2024 — The West Virginia National Guard’s Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy – South program, located in Montgomery, West Virginia, graduated 58 cadets as a part of Class 62 today at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston, West Virginia... MORE

Teenagers in khaki uniform shirts and navy pants and tan military boots march outside

Spotlight on Sgt. Katie Lynn Mollohan: A Dedicated Logistician and Advocate
September 1, 2024 — The first spotlight for September 2024 is Sgt. Katie Lynn Mollohan from St. Albans, West Virginia. Mollohan has served in the West Virginia Army National Guard for four years. She is currently stationed at Joint Forces Headquarters as a 92Y unit supply specialist... MORE

Soldier spotlight Katie Lynn Mollohan, three pictures of soldier,

Spotlight on SPC Jacob Frantz: A Dedicated Guard Member and Family Man
August 25, 2024 — Spc. Jacob Frantz, an 88M Motor Transport Operator from Lewisburg, West Virginia, has served three years in the West Virginia Army National Guard and is a Spotlight for August 2024... MORE

Three photos of solider Jacob Frantz, man with family, man in airplane. Solider

130th Airlift Wing member lead planner for EOD Joint Training
August 23, 2024 — Master Sgt. Glynn Willard, emergency management superintendent for the Air National Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston, West Virginia, was a lead planner for emergency management involvement in the exercise... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrington, left, explosive ordnance disposal technician with the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing, and Senior Airman Benito Pacheco, EOD technician with the Nebraska ANG's 155th Air Refueling Wing, review X-rays of an improvised explosive device May 13, 2024, as part of the Audacious Warrior exercise at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Wisconsin. The nine-day exercise included over 70 participants assigned to the Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force Reserve and U.S. Marine Corps, as well as military EOD specialists from the Czech Republic.

WV STARBASE: Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Innovators
August 19, 2024 — WV STARBASE Charleston, a youth program located at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston, West Virginia, is dedicated to students by giving a hands-on experience in STEM. Every school year, STARBASE has around 2,000 5th graders from around the state that participate in up to 25 hours of exploring science, technology, engineering, and math... MORE

medium zoom photo of two boys with their heads down looking at a painting that one is painting with watercolors on a white piece of paper. red wall background. the other by is pointing to the paint brush.

Spotlight Maj. David Groom: Celebrating a Distinguished Career in Aviation
August 18, 2024 — As the we prepare to celebrate National Aviation Day tomorrow, Aug. 15, 2024, the West Virginia National Guard would like to Spotlight Maj. David J. Groom, a dedicated pilot with 21 years of military service... MORE

Graphic with three photos of a male airman either in camo uniform or with family.
TEXT: airman spotlight
Major David J. Groom
C-17 Pilot
age: 42 / Kearneysville, WV

Spotlight: CW5 Zachary McDowell
August 11, 2024 — West Virginia Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 5 Zachary McDowell is the Spotlight for Aug. 11, 2024... MORE

Graphic with three photos of a male soldier either in camo uniform or with family.
TEXT: soldier spotlight
CW5 Zachary McDowell
155AH / Standardization Officer
age: 43 / Hometown: Midwest City, OK

167th Airmen deploy as Mission Generation Force Element
August 9, 2024 — Nearly 150 Airmen with the 167th Airlift Wing deployed in June as a Mission Generation Force Element... MORE

People in uniform enter a military aircraft

167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight August 2024
August 9, 2024 — Tech. Sgt. Jessie Trejo is a Security Forces Craftsman and Phoenix Raven for the 167th Security Forces Squadron and he is the 167th Airlift Wing Airman Spotlight for August 2024... MORE

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WV National Guard geologist digs his job
August 7, 2024 — U.S. Army 1st Lt. Matthew Shafer, a Huntington, West Virginia native, and a platoon leader with Horizontal Platoon, 821st Engineer Construction Company, 1092nd Engineer Battalion, 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard made the trek with his unit to Germany for Exercise Combined Resolve 24-2, a U.S.-led, NATO and partner integrated exercise in the European Theater focused on combined arms interoperability... MORE

1-150th Cavalry supports DEFENDER 24 in Czechia
August 7, 2024 — Less than 24 hours after touching down in Czechia via a commercial airline flight from the U.S., West Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers – some running on just a couple of hours of sleep – fell in on Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 at the Libava Training Area in Czechia at the start of DEFENDER 24 in March... MORE

The combined 405th Army Field Support Brigade team made up of Soldiers and Army civilians from Army Field Support Battalion-Africa from Livorno, Italy, and contractors from the Coleman Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite in Mannheim, Germany, as well as West Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, pose for a photo before conducting a safety briefing May 2 at an APS-2 Equipment Configuration and Hand-off Area at the Libava Training Area in Libava, Czechia, at the start of DEFENDER 24.

Image Gallery

167th concludes overseas deployment

Children of 167th Airlift Wing members anxiously await the arrival of their loved ones as they returned from a three-month overseas deplolyment, Sept. 26, 2024. The return marked the first large scale deployment and homecoming in nearly 20 years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

PHOTO BY: Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

VIRIN: 240926-Z-PU513-1006.JPG

FULL SIZE: 5 MB

Additional Details

CAMERA

NIKON Z 6

LENS

70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8

APERTURE

71/10

SHUTTERSPEED

1/200

ISO

250

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