Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 116th Infantry Regiment holds 53rd annual muster By 1st Lt. Catherine M. Bean,
                116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
 STAUNTON, Va. – Veterans of the 116th Infantry Regiment and Soldiers of the Virginia Army National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team gathered to remember the unit’s history and enjoy fellowship at the 53rd annual muster Nov. 13. This year’s theme was “Remembering Our History: The Global War on Terrorism & Honoring Our Deploying Soldiers.” Maj. Gen. John M. Epperly, deputy commanding general, Army Futures Command, was the keynote speaker, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the 116th IBCT, provided an update on the past year for the brigade. Retired Brig. Gen. Charles B. Faulconer Jr., honorary colonel of the regiment, announced the Bedford-based Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th IBCT, as the recipient of the 116th Regiment Superior Unit Award.  Samulski and Command Sgt. Maj. Irving N. Reed Jr. presented the award to Capt. Daniel K. Fida and 1st Sgt. Thomas E. Barrett, the Alpha Company command team. “The brigade has continued to distinguish itself across the formation as the premier fighting force in the Army as well as a vital and necessary asset for the governor, citizens of Virginia and even our nation’s capital,” Samulski said in his Report of the Brigade Commander. “I want to begin by thanking our Soldiers and families that have endured, on a moment’s notice, the call to support and defend our citizens here in our own towns and state,” Samulski said. “In the last year, the brigade has mobilized to protect and serve due to civil disturbances in Lynchburg, Richmond and Louisville, Kentucky. Over 1,000 of our troops from multiple battalions have conducted civil support missions across the two states that comprise this brigade.” Samulski said while the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, the brigade was notified of the following federal active duty mobilizations: - Virginia and Kentucky National Guard Soldiers assigned to Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, are to mobilize later this month as Task Force Red Dragon to provide security in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. - Soldiers assigned to the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th IBCT, will deploy to the Central Command Area of Responsibility to provide personnel and site protection using the Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System, or C-RAM. - Soldiers assigned to the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Headquarters will mobilize for federal active duty in early January to take responsibility for the NATO-led Kosovo Force Regional Command-East. “As we began preparing for these missions, I would be remiss to not remind everyone of the month-long mobilization to our nation’s capital in which this brigade was not only called upon but responded to our nation’s call within four hours and was on the grounds of the Capitol that evening,” Samulski said. “The brigade was tasked as the lead brigade for the Task Force Capitol Grounds in command of 9,000 Soldiers and 22 battalions over 14 different states. Our Soldiers endured cold, wet conditions for the month of January and February to ensure our peaceful exchange of administration continue just as we have done over the last 240 years.” Epperly, a former commander of the 116th IBCT and 29th Infantry Division, said in his keynote address the brigade’s mobilizations all over the world were meant to ensure our enemies would never again attack our homeland. “We have been successful in that endeavor,” Epperly said.  “Since 2001, America has not endured a major terrorist attack on the scale of 9-11.  However, that success and security has come at a price.  Each of you here tonight has played a role in our two-decade fight to secure America.  You may have fought on the front lines overseas or secured the homefront. Regardless, you have made a remarkable difference. “ Epperly said the Global War on Terror has been a generational fight, and not since World War has the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the entire National Guard been called on so much and so often. “The story you have written is now immortalized in the colors behind me with the first new battle streamers earned by the brigade since 1945,” he said.  “That story continues to be written. Very soon, elements of the brigade will deploy to the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Gulf Region, the eastern Mediterranean Sea Region and to Kosovo in the center of the Balkans. These ancient lands, and the persistent conflicts that seem to engulf them, continue to represent freedom’s frontier.” He said it speaks well of American Citizen-Soldiers that the nation is able to place such trust in them. “It is a trust that you have reaffirmed over the last two decades,” Epperly said. “The Global War on Terror has allowed America and the world to rediscover the national treasure that is the American Citizen-Soldier.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Virginia National Guard
 Kentucky National Guard
 
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day
 By Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements,
  Guard Continues Domestic, Global Missions in a Busy 2022
 By Air Force Master Sgt. Erich B. Smith,
  Virginia National Guard’s 116th IBCT HQ Ends Kosovo Mission
 By Cotton Puryear,
  More
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • 6 hours ago
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • 8 hours ago
 National Guard, US Army North, FEMA Train for Hurricane Response Guard News • 8 hours ago
 Cal Air Guard F-15 Pilots Train with Marine Corps F-35 Pilots Guard News • 9 hours ago
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 3 days ago
 2024 (193)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil