Virgin Islands National Guard
| Virgin Islands National Guard | |
|---|---|
Virgin Islands National Guard HQ DUI | |
| Founded | 19 October 1973 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Branch | National Guard |
| Role | "When directed by the Governor, service members will serve and protect the interests of the Territory and its citizens." |
| Size | 1,000 |
| Garrison/HQ | Saint Croix |
| Motto | The Guardians of the Eastern Front |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | President Donald Trump |
| Governor of the United States Virgin Islands | Albert Bryan Jr. |
| Adjutant General | Major-General Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker |
| Director of Joint Staff | Colonel Glenda M. Mathurine-Lee |
| Insignia | |
| Emblem of the Joint Forces Virgin Islands National Guard | |
| Virgin Islands Army National Guard Crest | |
| Virgin Islands Army National Guard STARC SSI | |
| Virgin Islands Army National Guard Headquarters Flag | |
| Virgin Islands Army National Guard 104th Troop Command Flag | |
The Virgin Islands National Guard (VING) is a component of the United States Armed Forces' National Guard based in the United States Virgin Islands. It was established on October 19, 1973 in a ceremony officiated by Major-General La Vern E. Weber, then serving as the director of the Army National Guard. Major Leayle Galiber was concurrently appointed as acting Adjutant-General and took command of the first two VING units to be activated, a headquarters detachment and the 661st Military Police Company, both of which were stationed on the island of Saint Croix.[1]
Organization
Virgin Islands Army National Guard
As of February 2026 the Virgin Islands Army National Guard consists of the following units:
- Joint Force Headquarters-Virgin Islands, Army Element, in Kingshill[2]
- Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters-Virgin Islands, Army Element, in Kingshill
- Virgin Islands Recruiting & Retention Battalion
- Virgin Islands Medical Detachment, in Kingshill[3]
- 23rd Civil Support Team (WMD)[4]
- 1947th Support Detachment (Contracting Team)
- Army Aviation Operations Facility #1, at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport
- Combined Support Maintenance Shop #1
- Field Maintenance Shop #1
- 104th Special Troops Battalion[5]
- 104th Headquarters Company
- 51st Public Affairs Detachment
- 210th Regiment, Regional Training Institute [6]
- 661st Military Police Company
- Detachment 1, Company D (MEDEVAC), 1st Battalion (Security & Support), 114th Aviation Regiment, at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (UH-72A Lakota)
- 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, in Charlotte Amalie
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, in Charlotte Amalie
- 73rd Army Band[7]
- 610th Quartermaster Company (Water Purification and Distribution)
- 630th Quartermaster Detachment (Tactical Water Distribution Team) (Hoseline)
- 631st Engineer Detachment (Utilities)
- 662nd Engineer Company (Engineer Support Company)
- Detachment 1, 547th Transportation Company (Light-Medium Truck)
Virgin Islands Air National Guard
As of February 2026 the Virgin Islands Air National Guard consists of the following units:
- Joint Force Headquarters-Virgin Islands, Air Element, in Kingshill[8]
- Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters-Virgin Islands, Army Element, in Kingshill
- 285th Civil Engineering Squadron[9]
History
The Virgin Islands National Guard was federally recognized on October 19, 1973 and has largely engaged in disaster response and relief. Its first foreign deployment was when it was deployed for Operation Joint Endeavor in 1995 and has since been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Kosovo, Haiti, and Cuba.[10]
Decorations
The Virgin Islands National Guard has authorized several state decorations for wear by its personnel, including:[11]
- Virgin Islands Distinguished Service Medal (VIDSM)
- Virgin Islands Meritorious Service Medal (VIMSM)
- Virgin Islands Commendation Medal (VICOM)
- Virgin Islands Long and Faithful Service Medal (VILFSM)
- Virgin Islands Emergency Service Ribbon (VIESR)
References
- ^ "History". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ "Joint Force Headquarters Army". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "Deputy State Surgeon & Medical Detachment". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "23rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team(CBRNE)". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "104th Troop Command Detachment". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "210th Regiment, Regional Training Institute". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "73rd Army Band". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "Joint Force Headquarters Air". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "285th Civil Engineering Squadron". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "History". Virgin Islands National Guard. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ "Virgin Islands National Guard Military Ribbons". OfficialMilitaryRibbons. Retrieved July 5, 2023.