PETERSBURG, Va. – After months of hard work and unprecedented challenges, one element of the Virginia National Guard’s support to Virginia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is ending. While COVID-19 sample collections and mask fit testing continue, the task force dedicated to logistics and food bank support is concluding its service.
Since early May, Task Force Resolute tackled various missions, including N95 respirator mask fit testing and supporting food banks and COVID-19 testing.
“These Soldiers from across the state came into an evolving situation and put the needs of the commonwealth before their own,” said Lt. Col. Demetrius Parrott, commander of the Petersburg-based 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group. “They received various taskings they had never done before. After being trained, they displayed the confidence we expect to see in our professional Soldiers. This helped with the relief and anxiety of many of the citizens.”
“We were all able to succeed because we knew the importance of our mission and what it meant to the citizens of Virginia,” said Capt. Joshua Morgan, commander of the task force. “Overall, this has been a learning experience at every level and the lessons learned and relationships built through the VDH will be carried forward.”
In one of the longest-running missions, Soldiers assigned to the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, helped out at the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and gave out food to people there and at drive-thru locations.
At the drive-thru site in Woodford, Sen. Tim Kaine visited the Soldiers and food bank staff to thank them.
“The Guard has just been absolutely critical to the Virginia response to COVID, and I know the governor feels the same way,” said Kaine.
VNG Soldiers helped deliver more than 1 million pounds of food and served or delivered more than 38,000 meals to Virginians.
In western Virginia, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, helped at mobile testing sites March 30 in the New River Valley and Roanoke areas. They provided logistical support for testing in Blacksburg and distributed personal protective equipment to local and regional authorities. Soldiers also assisted at food banks and pantries in the area.
“This mission demonstrates the strength of the National Guard – supporting our hometowns in times of need,” said Lt. Col. Jim Tierney, commander of the 1-116th. “Working together with local first responders and emergency management teams has only strengthened our bonds within the community.”
“The Soldiers assigned to us assisted in testing over 9,000 citizens,” said Michael Geary, the emergency services coordinator for Montgomery County. “Without their support, we would be nowhere near where we are now. While we are sad to be losing these Soldiers, we are thankful we had them as long as we did. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to these Soldiers from our task force and our community.”
Task Force Resolute also provided planning, logistics, material handling and warehouse operations support throughout Virginia.
A team of five Soldiers helped the Virginia Department of Health contact patients to inform them of negative COVID-19 test results and made 3,200 calls to long-term care facilities to determine if they needed COVID-19 testing.
Other task force Soldiers tested masks for proper fit for more than 3,500 people. And the Guard collected more than 83,000 COVID-19 test samples at long-term care facilities and other locations across the state.
“As leaders we look forward to being able to serve the needs of the commonwealth,” said Parrott. “No matter the situation, we’ll show up, do our best and never quit. We want the citizens of the commonwealth to know that. Every Soldier played a role in the overall response for this new virus. I must say they did a job well done.”