Va. Defense Force Archive

  • SANDSTON, Va. — More than 600 Virginia Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 35 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. The support from the Virginia Guard helped maintain the safety and security for the event, but it also helped prepare the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force to be able to anticipate requirements and rapidly respond for future known and no-notice events. “Our support to the inauguration was outstanding,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. “I think anytime you can get Soldiers and Airmen on the ground, working...

    Support missions for 57th Presidential Inauguration help Va. Guard prepare for future operations

    Posted on January 27, 2013 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — More than 600 Virginia Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 35 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. The support from the Virginia Guard helped maintain the safety and security for the event, but it also helped prepare the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force to be able to anticipate requirements and rapidly respond for future known and no-notice events. “Our support to the inauguration was outstanding,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. “I think anytime you can get Soldiers and Airmen on the ground, working...

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  • To The State Public Safety Team: Congratulations to all on a job well done. I know that a great deal of time, energy and resources went into the Inauguration – preparing operations plans, executing the mission, and bringing everyone home safely. We truly appreciate the tremendous job done representing the Commonwealth. The professionalism and commitment demonstrated by Virginia’s public safety personnel was exceptional. I greatly appreciate the time and effort expended to train and direct your teams in a way that made things run so smoothly. Virginia is unique in the role we are called upon to play when national events occur. As I saw first-hand this weekend, like I have seen time and time again, our State Police, National...

    Public Safety Secretary thanks state public safety team

    Posted on January 23, 2013 | No Comments
    To The State Public Safety Team: Congratulations to all on a job well done. I know that a great deal of time, energy and resources went into the Inauguration – preparing operations plans, executing the mission, and bringing everyone home safely. We truly appreciate the tremendous job done representing the Commonwealth. The professionalism and commitment demonstrated by Virginia’s public safety personnel was exceptional. I greatly appreciate the time and effort expended to train and direct your teams in a way that made things run so smoothly. Virginia is unique in the role we are called upon to play when national events occur. As I saw first-hand this weekend, like I have seen time and time again, our State Police, National...

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  •   SANDSTON, Va. – More than 600 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will join a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 25 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. Virginia Guard personnel will assist with traffic control, crowd management, communications and chaplain support, and an additional 100 personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will conduct mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state. “Support to federal, state and local agencies is a routine mission for the Virginia National Guard when our forces are not employed in overseas operations,” said Col. James Ring,...

    Virginia Guard personnel from units in Manassas, Virginia Beach, Leesburg, Fredericksburg, Staunton and Sandston to support 57th Presidential Inauguration

    Posted on January 18, 2013 | No Comments
      SANDSTON, Va. – More than 600 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will join a force of approximately 6,000 National Guard personnel from 25 states and territories supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia. Virginia Guard personnel will assist with traffic control, crowd management, communications and chaplain support, and an additional 100 personnel from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force will conduct mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and other locations in the state. “Support to federal, state and local agencies is a routine mission for the Virginia National Guard when our forces are not employed in overseas operations,” said Col. James Ring,...

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  • FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Bowling Green-based 189th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion provided the latest in military mobile bridging technology in support of Civil War reenactors during the observation of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg Dec. 8, 2012. Members of the Virginia Defense Force also supported the event with traffic control and visitor assistance, and the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided a color guard and howitzer for the weekend’s final events Dec. 9. “This is a great training opportunity for the Soldiers of the 189th to be able to assemble the bridge on a flowing river,” said 1st Lt. Marianne E. Heldmann, commander of the 189th. “This mission also required coordination...

    Va. Guard and VDF support 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg

    Posted on December 13, 2012 | No Comments
    FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Bowling Green-based 189th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion provided the latest in military mobile bridging technology in support of Civil War reenactors during the observation of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg Dec. 8, 2012. Members of the Virginia Defense Force also supported the event with traffic control and visitor assistance, and the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided a color guard and howitzer for the weekend’s final events Dec. 9. “This is a great training opportunity for the Soldiers of the 189th to be able to assemble the bridge on a flowing river,” said 1st Lt. Marianne E. Heldmann, commander of the 189th. “This mission also required coordination...

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  • RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Bob McDonnell ceremonially signed a proclamation designating December as “Virginia National Guard Appreciation and Recognition Month” in the Commonwealth of Virginia Dec. 7, 2012, at a ceremony in Richmond. Governor McDonnell was joined by Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker and Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, in recognizing members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force. “This proclamation, in a small way, recognizes the incredible sacrifice and service of the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force,” McDonnell said. “For the first time since 9/11 all Virginia Army Guard and Air Guard units are home with their families and loved ones for the holidays. Time and...

    Governor McDonnell signs proclamation declaring December as “Virginia National Guard Appreciation and Recognition Month”

    Posted on December 7, 2012 | No Comments
    RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Bob McDonnell ceremonially signed a proclamation designating December as “Virginia National Guard Appreciation and Recognition Month” in the Commonwealth of Virginia Dec. 7, 2012, at a ceremony in Richmond. Governor McDonnell was joined by Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker and Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, in recognizing members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force. “This proclamation, in a small way, recognizes the incredible sacrifice and service of the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force,” McDonnell said. “For the first time since 9/11 all Virginia Army Guard and Air Guard units are home with their families and loved ones for the holidays. Time and...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The 2012 Holiday Video Message from Governor Bob McDonnell and Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, is available online at the following links: View the video on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151314775236131 Download the video in WMV format: http://ow.ly/fHo83 Download the video in MOV format: http://ow.ly/fHoak Share

    Holiday Video Message from Governor and AG available online

    Posted on November 30, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The 2012 Holiday Video Message from Governor Bob McDonnell and Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, is available online at the following links: View the video on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151314775236131 Download the video in WMV format: http://ow.ly/fHo83 Download the video in MOV format: http://ow.ly/fHoak Share

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — Making sure Virginia National Guard troops can communicate during state active duty starts with a small group of military communications professionals who make sure all the necessary equipment is properly maintained and configured. Members of the Virginia Defense Force then use that equipment to keep information flowing between units on the ground and the Virginia Guard’s Joint Operations Center. “It all starts with a small group of dedicated Soldiers and Airmen working behind the scenes to make sure that commanders in the field can communicate,” said Lt. Col. Dave Bennett, director of communications on the Virginia National Guard joint staff. At the heart of the communications package provided for state active duty units is the Tactical Communications...

    Communications teams keep units talking during state active duty

    Posted on November 27, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — Making sure Virginia National Guard troops can communicate during state active duty starts with a small group of military communications professionals who make sure all the necessary equipment is properly maintained and configured. Members of the Virginia Defense Force then use that equipment to keep information flowing between units on the ground and the Virginia Guard’s Joint Operations Center. “It all starts with a small group of dedicated Soldiers and Airmen working behind the scenes to make sure that commanders in the field can communicate,” said Lt. Col. Dave Bennett, director of communications on the Virginia National Guard joint staff. At the heart of the communications package provided for state active duty units is the Tactical Communications...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — Virginia National Guard personnel took part in Veterans Day observations across the commonwealth that included a wreath laying, speeches, static displays and marching in parades. At the Commonwealth Veterans Day Ceremony held Nov. 11, 2012, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, presented the Virginia National Guard memorial wreath in honor of past and present Veterans at the Shrine of Memory. “This is a time of remembrance and appreciation for those men and women who have served bravely and honorably in the defense and security of our nation,” Long said in his Veterans Day message. “Defending this great nation is a generational duty that continues today.”...

    Past and present Veterans honored

    Posted on November 14, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — Virginia National Guard personnel took part in Veterans Day observations across the commonwealth that included a wreath laying, speeches, static displays and marching in parades. At the Commonwealth Veterans Day Ceremony held Nov. 11, 2012, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, presented the Virginia National Guard memorial wreath in honor of past and present Veterans at the Shrine of Memory. “This is a time of remembrance and appreciation for those men and women who have served bravely and honorably in the defense and security of our nation,” Long said in his Veterans Day message. “Defending this great nation is a generational duty that continues today.”...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard returned to normal operations Nov. 1, 2012, and all personnel on state active duty supporting Hurricane Sandy recovery operations were released from duty and returned to their home stations. Guard personnel began assisting Virginia State Police and local emergency response organizations late in the day Oct. 29 at numerous locations across Virginia, and at the height of operations had approximately 670 personnel working across the commonwealth. During that time they transported 42 civilians to safety, conducted almost 60 reconnaissance patrols to assess damage and report on route trafficability and performed 10 debris reduction missions. “Law enforcement personnel and the Virginia National Guard were the unsung heroes of the Hurricane Sandy response,” said Governor...

    Virginia Guard completes Hurricane Sandy response operations

    Posted on November 1, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard returned to normal operations Nov. 1, 2012, and all personnel on state active duty supporting Hurricane Sandy recovery operations were released from duty and returned to their home stations. Guard personnel began assisting Virginia State Police and local emergency response organizations late in the day Oct. 29 at numerous locations across Virginia, and at the height of operations had approximately 670 personnel working across the commonwealth. During that time they transported 42 civilians to safety, conducted almost 60 reconnaissance patrols to assess damage and report on route trafficability and performed 10 debris reduction missions. “Law enforcement personnel and the Virginia National Guard were the unsung heroes of the Hurricane Sandy response,” said Governor...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — Approximately 630 personnel from the Virginia National Guard will be staged and ready to respond at locations across Virginia by late afternoon Oct. 29 to assist state and local emergency response organizations conduct recovery operations related to Hurricane Sandy. Governor Bob McDonnell authorized an increase of Guard personnel to 750 on Sunday, and additional personnel have been alerted for possible duty and will be held in reserve for possible future missions. The Virginia Army Guard and Virginia Defense Force staged more than 500 personnel on Saturday in the areas of Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads, the I-95 corridor from Richmond to Fredericksburg and into Northern Virginia, and additional personnel began staging Sunday and Monday along the I-81/I-66 corridor...

    More than 600 Va. Guard personnel staging across Virginia to support possible Hurricane Sandy recovery operations

    Posted on October 29, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — Approximately 630 personnel from the Virginia National Guard will be staged and ready to respond at locations across Virginia by late afternoon Oct. 29 to assist state and local emergency response organizations conduct recovery operations related to Hurricane Sandy. Governor Bob McDonnell authorized an increase of Guard personnel to 750 on Sunday, and additional personnel have been alerted for possible duty and will be held in reserve for possible future missions. The Virginia Army Guard and Virginia Defense Force staged more than 500 personnel on Saturday in the areas of Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads, the I-95 corridor from Richmond to Fredericksburg and into Northern Virginia, and additional personnel began staging Sunday and Monday along the I-81/I-66 corridor...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 300 personnel on state active duty for possible severe weather recovery operations from Hurricane Sandy. The Virginia Guard will begin staging approximately 50 Army Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel in the Eastern Shore area in order to be ready to support potential response missions, and all personnel are scheduled to be in place by Saturday evening. Additional personnel have been alerted for possible duty and will be held in reserve for possible future missions. About 50 Virginia Army Guard, Air Guard and VDF personnel are also on duty in Sandston at the Guard’s Joint Operations Center for mission command and sustainment support as well as...

    Virginia Guard personnel preparing for possible Hurricane Sandy recovery operations

    Posted on October 26, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 300 personnel on state active duty for possible severe weather recovery operations from Hurricane Sandy. The Virginia Guard will begin staging approximately 50 Army Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel in the Eastern Shore area in order to be ready to support potential response missions, and all personnel are scheduled to be in place by Saturday evening. Additional personnel have been alerted for possible duty and will be held in reserve for possible future missions. About 50 Virginia Army Guard, Air Guard and VDF personnel are also on duty in Sandston at the Guard’s Joint Operations Center for mission command and sustainment support as well as...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — More than 200 members of the Virginia Defense Force took part in a variety of different training events focused on response package proficiency and improving professionalism Sept. 29 and 30, 2012, during the all-volunteer organization’s annual training muster at Fort Pickett. Training included professional development courses for staff officers and senior noncommissioned officers as well as a safety officer and NCO course and training for Incident Management Assistance Teams and Mobile Command Post operations. In addition, more than 60 new VDF members took part in Initial Entry Training that focused on basics like VDF history, customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony and map reading. “This is how we are increasing our level of readiness for our...

    VDF holds annual training muster at Fort Pickett

    Posted on September 30, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — More than 200 members of the Virginia Defense Force took part in a variety of different training events focused on response package proficiency and improving professionalism Sept. 29 and 30, 2012, during the all-volunteer organization’s annual training muster at Fort Pickett. Training included professional development courses for staff officers and senior noncommissioned officers as well as a safety officer and NCO course and training for Incident Management Assistance Teams and Mobile Command Post operations. In addition, more than 60 new VDF members took part in Initial Entry Training that focused on basics like VDF history, customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony and map reading. “This is how we are increasing our level of readiness for our...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — Governor Bob McDonnell and First Lady Maureen McDonnell expressed their appreciation for the service of Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, members of the Virginia Defense Force and civilian employees Sept. 11 during a visit at Mullins Armory in Sandston. “The First Lady and I wanted to come out today primarily to offer our thanks on behalf of the 8.3 million Virginians for the phenomenal work you do day in and day out not only to protect Virginians, but the lives of Americans around the country and all over the world,” McDonnell said. During his remarks, he talked about the impact of the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. and said the Guard has made a “remarkable...

    Governor and First Lady thank Virginia Guard personnel for their service

    Posted on September 13, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — Governor Bob McDonnell and First Lady Maureen McDonnell expressed their appreciation for the service of Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, members of the Virginia Defense Force and civilian employees Sept. 11 during a visit at Mullins Armory in Sandston. “The First Lady and I wanted to come out today primarily to offer our thanks on behalf of the 8.3 million Virginians for the phenomenal work you do day in and day out not only to protect Virginians, but the lives of Americans around the country and all over the world,” McDonnell said. During his remarks, he talked about the impact of the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. and said the Guard has made a “remarkable...

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  • SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard brought more than 200 personnel on state active duty from June 30 to July 4 to support recovery operations in the wake of severe thunderstorms that struck across Virginia and caused wide-spread power outages. Soldiers distributed water and ice in Bedford, conducted reconnaissance patrols in the Fredericksburg and Lexington areas and Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force provided mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and Fort Pickett. “I was extremely pleased with the entire operation from how we alerted and staged our personnel to how we actually executed the missions,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. “I think the Virginia Guard continues to be a rapidly...

    Virginia National Guard personnel assist in the wake of severe thunderstorms

    Posted on July 11, 2012 | No Comments
    SANDSTON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard brought more than 200 personnel on state active duty from June 30 to July 4 to support recovery operations in the wake of severe thunderstorms that struck across Virginia and caused wide-spread power outages. Soldiers distributed water and ice in Bedford, conducted reconnaissance patrols in the Fredericksburg and Lexington areas and Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force provided mission command and sustainment support in Sandston and Fort Pickett. “I was extremely pleased with the entire operation from how we alerted and staged our personnel to how we actually executed the missions,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. “I think the Virginia Guard continues to be a rapidly...

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  • RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers who died while serving overseas in the Global War on Terror were remembered along with 263 fellow Virginians during the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony held May 28 at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. For the first time, the Memorial Day event incorporated the Wall of Honor ceremony which was previously held at the State Capitol. The Wall of Honor recognizes those Virginians who lost their lives in the Global War on Terror. “To all the families whose loved ones are pictured on the Wall of Honor, we can never express with appropriate words the sacrifice and pain you have been through for our great nation,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell. “For that, we...

    Fallen Virginians remembered on Memorial Day

    Posted on May 30, 2012 | No Comments
    RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers who died while serving overseas in the Global War on Terror were remembered along with 263 fellow Virginians during the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony held May 28 at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. For the first time, the Memorial Day event incorporated the Wall of Honor ceremony which was previously held at the State Capitol. The Wall of Honor recognizes those Virginians who lost their lives in the Global War on Terror. “To all the families whose loved ones are pictured on the Wall of Honor, we can never express with appropriate words the sacrifice and pain you have been through for our great nation,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell. “For that, we...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. – Approximately 150 members of the Virginia Defense Force Headquarters gathered at Fort Pickett April 27-29 for their annual spring field training exercise that focused on professional development, diversity and safety. “The primary focus for the weekend is based on the Adjutant General’s vision of the VDF continuing to develop into a quality and professional force,” said Maj. Gen. (Va.) John Taylor, commander of the VDF. Taylor said that training was planned at all levels from new members of the VDF receiving basic leadership training to the first-ever First Sergeant Course focused on professional development for senior noncommissioned officers. Senior officers were also taking part in staff planning and operations, and a safety officer course was also...

    VDF Headquarters training focuses on professionalism and readiness

    Posted on April 30, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. – Approximately 150 members of the Virginia Defense Force Headquarters gathered at Fort Pickett April 27-29 for their annual spring field training exercise that focused on professional development, diversity and safety. “The primary focus for the weekend is based on the Adjutant General’s vision of the VDF continuing to develop into a quality and professional force,” said Maj. Gen. (Va.) John Taylor, commander of the VDF. Taylor said that training was planned at all levels from new members of the VDF receiving basic leadership training to the first-ever First Sergeant Course focused on professional development for senior noncommissioned officers. Senior officers were also taking part in staff planning and operations, and a safety officer course was also...

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  • Any member of the Virginia Department of Military Affairs (Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard or Virginia Defense Force) impacted by the April 6 F-18 crash in Virginia Beach should contact the Virginia National Guard Joint Operations Center as soon as possible. Please call JOC at 804-236-7704 or 804-236-7705 with information about how you were impacted by the incident. Share

    DMA members impacted by the F18 crash should contact Joint Operations Center

    Posted on April 7, 2012 | No Comments
    Any member of the Virginia Department of Military Affairs (Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard or Virginia Defense Force) impacted by the April 6 F-18 crash in Virginia Beach should contact the Virginia National Guard Joint Operations Center as soon as possible. Please call JOC at 804-236-7704 or 804-236-7705 with information about how you were impacted by the incident. Share

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  • Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, is scheduled to accept House Joint Resolution No. 396 in a center aisle presentation at the House of Delegates March 6, 2012 in Richmond on behalf of the approximately 10,000 members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force. Both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates agreed on the joint resolution celebrating the accomplishments of the Virginia National Guard in 2011. Representatives from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard, Virginia Defense Force and the Virginia Guard’s civilian work force will join Long to represent the different organizations of the Virginia National Guard. Del. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, was the chief patron for the joint resolution....

    Va. Guard Advisory: Virginia General Assembly to recognize Virginia National Guard with center aisle presentation March 6

    Posted on March 4, 2012 | No Comments
    Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, is scheduled to accept House Joint Resolution No. 396 in a center aisle presentation at the House of Delegates March 6, 2012 in Richmond on behalf of the approximately 10,000 members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force. Both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates agreed on the joint resolution celebrating the accomplishments of the Virginia National Guard in 2011. Representatives from the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard, Virginia Defense Force and the Virginia Guard’s civilian work force will join Long to represent the different organizations of the Virginia National Guard. Del. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, was the chief patron for the joint resolution....

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Defense Force tested communication capabilities and provided a critical link to the Virginia Guard Joint Operations Center Feb. 11 when more than 120 Canadian Army Reserve personnel inprocessed into Fort Pickett. The event was part of an exercise to test the communication and administrative systems needed if Virginia were to receive military personnel from out of state in an emergency response situation. Formally known as the Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration, or JRSOI, the process makes sure that proper accountability of personnel and equipment is established when additional forces came into the state. “This is a beta test for the remote JRSOI,” said Lt. Col. David Weisnicht, Fort Pickett’s full-time director of...

    Virginia Defense Force tests communications capabilities at Fort Pickett

    Posted on February 14, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Defense Force tested communication capabilities and provided a critical link to the Virginia Guard Joint Operations Center Feb. 11 when more than 120 Canadian Army Reserve personnel inprocessed into Fort Pickett. The event was part of an exercise to test the communication and administrative systems needed if Virginia were to receive military personnel from out of state in an emergency response situation. Formally known as the Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration, or JRSOI, the process makes sure that proper accountability of personnel and equipment is established when additional forces came into the state. “This is a beta test for the remote JRSOI,” said Lt. Col. David Weisnicht, Fort Pickett’s full-time director of...

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  • FORT PICKETT, Va. — Leaders of the Virginia Defense Force from across the state gathered Feb. 4 at Fort Pickett for their annual commander’s conference to discuss the way ahead for the all-volunteer organization. Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, along with Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Green provided an update on the Virginia National Guard as part of the morning session. Maj. Gen. (Va.) John Taylor, commander of the Virginia Defense Force, opened the conference by sharing his vision for the VDF that stressed professionalism and the importance of VDF response packages as part of the Virginia National Guard’s overall state response plan. “We are really proud of all of you, and...

    Commander’s conference brings VDF leaders to Fort Pickett

    Posted on February 9, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT PICKETT, Va. — Leaders of the Virginia Defense Force from across the state gathered Feb. 4 at Fort Pickett for their annual commander’s conference to discuss the way ahead for the all-volunteer organization. Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, along with Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Green provided an update on the Virginia National Guard as part of the morning session. Maj. Gen. (Va.) John Taylor, commander of the Virginia Defense Force, opened the conference by sharing his vision for the VDF that stressed professionalism and the importance of VDF response packages as part of the Virginia National Guard’s overall state response plan. “We are really proud of all of you, and...

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