RICHMOND, Va. — The Army National Guard’s first Mobile Brigade Combat Team is mobilizing in its new configuration. About 1,200 Virginia and Kentucky Guard soldiers of the Staunton-based 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team began federal active duty with a departure ceremony in Richmond on Sept. 19, 2026, making the 116th the first Guard brigade to mobilize under the mobile brigade design.
The brigade is headed to U.S. Central Command’s area of operations. It converted from an infantry brigade combat team less than a year ago, and it now deploys with unmanned aircraft and electronic warfare equipment built into the formation.
The Army’s Sept. 21, 2026 release on the ceremony states that the brigade is mobilizing “in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.” The unit’s command team, Col. Brian Gallavan and Command Sgt. Maj. Brodie Kirkland, furled the organizational colors to mark the start of the mobilization; the Army says they will unfurl them on arrival in the Central Command area…