FAIRFAX, Va., - Soldiers from Company G, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Brigade Combat Team of the Virginia National Guard conducted a patient transport mission in Fairfax County Feb. 8.
County resident Olive Lewis was not able to make a needed medical appointment for kidney dialysis, so the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Center dispatched the Virginia Guard was called to transport her.
"I appreciate the help of the Virginia Guard so much," said Glenda Lewis, Olive's daughter. "We would have ended up in the emergency room without this help."
First Lt. David Mummert of Yorktown, Spc. Jeremy Anderson of Virginia Beach, and Spc. Christopher Albertson of King William took part in the mission.
"This is why I joined the Guard," Mummert said. "I served on active duty and we had important missions, but Guard is more in touch with people around you. You are getting the chance to make a contribution to your community."
Soldiers from the Sandston-based Battery A, the Norfolk-based Battery B and the Hampton-based Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment and the Norfolk-based Company G, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Brigade Combat Team began assisting with snow recovery operations in Fairfax County Feb. 8.
Soldiers began receiving missions early Monday morning to transport emergency services personnel to key locations in the county, transport citizens to receive medical care and also located Soldiers and vehicles at the Alexandria Emergency Operations Center and three fire stations in the county.
The battalion has approximately 60 Soldiers and 26 Humvee and cargo vehicles assisting in operations and is receiving missions from the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Center.