VNG troops depart for Texas border support mission

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen departed for Texas July 8, 2023, where they will assist the Texas Military Department and Operation Lone Star border security operation. The VNG assembled Joint Task Force Cardinal, a group of approximately 100 Soldiers and Airmen, with another 10 personnel as the task force leadership team and support element, at Fort Barfoot July 5 for training and administrative tasks prior to their departure. The mission is expected to last about 30 days.

“I am inspired by all of you. I can’t put it any other way,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin when he visited the troops July 6 at Fort Barfoot. “On behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for your commitment, thank you for your love of nation, and thank you for your love of the commonwealth.”

Youngkin also thanked families and acknowledged the Soldiers and Airmen will be missing out on time with loved ones while they are gone.

“I want to thank you for the sacrifice you are undertaking as we head into an extremely important mission,” he said.

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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin presents a Virginia flag to the command team for Joint Task Force Cardinal July 6, 2023, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia, prior to their departure for Texas where they will support border security operations.