RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia National Guard successfully and safely moved approximately 325 Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force Friday night to staging areas across the commonwealth in preparation for possible duty for recovery operations related to Hurricane Irene.
Personnel are currently staged in Virginia Guard facilities in Bowling Green, Emporia and Sandston as well as being co-located with Virginia State Police personnel in the Eastern Shore Region of Virginia near Onancock.
Personnel are also on duty at the Virginia Guard Joint Operations Center in Sandston providing command and control and logistical support.
Anticipated missions for the Virginia National Guard include high water transport and recovery, light debris removal and route clearance.
Members of the Virginia Defense Force are providing digital communications capability for National Guard units.
The Virginia Guard has been authorized to bring as many as 500 personnel on state active duty to support Hurricane Irene operations.
Additional forces have been alerted for possible duty after the storm has passed through Virginia but have not actually begun staging and are on standby.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers staged in Sandston are conducting final preparations this morning in advance of Hurricane Irene hitting Virginia.
Soldiers are conducting pre-operation checks on vehicles and chain saws at the Virginia Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston.