RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia National Guard staged dozens of Soldiers and Airmen in multiple locations Jan. 6 to help respond to severe winter weather anticipated in the state.
About 20 Soldiers were in place in Southwest Virginia and some 20 Airmen were mustered in the Virginia Beach area to move into Northern Virginia. Both groups were equipped with heavy-duty trucks capable of navigating through snow and chainsaws to clear debris from roads.
An additional 20 Soldiers were to muster in the Richmond area to support Central Virginia.
“Once again, our Soldiers and Airmen have quickly answered the call to be ready to assist their fellow Virginians during a potentially hazardous weather situation,” said Brig. Gen. James W. Ring, the VNG director of the Joint Staff. “It is important our state agency partners know we are able to quickly respond when we are requested, and we owe a special thanks to our families and employers. Without their support, we couldn’t perform our mission.”
Gov. Ralph Northam’s emergency declaration Jan. 5 authorized the VNG to bring personnel on state active duty to support state and local authorities in advance of the possible severe weather.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management requested the VNG provide debris reduction teams capable of clearing roads of fallen trees.
VNG Soldiers assigned to the Cedar Bluff-based 1033rd Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, were mobilized in Southwest Virginia. Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Mission Support Group, 192nd Wing, were staging in the Virginia Beach area to move into Northern Virginia.
Additional Virginia Army and Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel will be on duty in the Richmond area, supporting the personnel in the field.