Virginia National Guard Prepared for Hurricane Response

By Cotton Puryear, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs OfficeSeptember 30, 2022

Virginia National Guard Soldiers prepare for possible severe weather from Hurricane Ian Sept. 30, 2022, in Powhatan, Virginia. Soldiers assigned to the 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, were prepared...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Virginia National Guard Soldiers prepare for possible severe weather from Hurricane Ian Sept. 30, 2022, in Powhatan, Virginia. Soldiers assigned to the 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, were prepared to provide high mobility transport and clear debris if needed.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mike Vrabel)
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Virginia National Guard Soldiers prepare for possible severe weather response operations Sept. 30, 2022, in Powhatan, Virginia. Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Virginia National Guard Soldiers prepare for possible severe weather response operations Sept. 30, 2022, in Powhatan, Virginia. Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group are prepared to provide high mobility transport and debris reduction capabilities. The VNG has 50 Soldiers and Airmen staged and ready in the Roanoke, Richmond and Virginia Beach areas. A member of the Virginia Defense Force assisted with administrative processing for troops coming on duty. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mike Vrabel) VIEW ORIGINAL
Virginia National Guard Soldiers prepare for possible severe weather response operations Sept. 30, 2022, in Powhatan, Virginia. Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Virginia National Guard Soldiers prepare for possible severe weather response operations Sept. 30, 2022, in Powhatan, Virginia. Soldiers assigned to the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group are prepared to provide high mobility transport and debris reduction capabilities. The VNG has 50 Soldiers and Airmen staged and ready in the Roanoke, Richmond and Virginia Beach areas. A member of the Virginia Defense Force assisted with administrative processing for troops coming on duty. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mike Vrabel) VIEW ORIGINAL

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard staged about 60 Soldiers and Airmen across the Commonwealth for possible severe weather response operations related to Hurricane Ian.

Guard members were positioned Sept. 30 at key locations in the Abingdon, Roanoke, Richmond and Virginia Beach areas. They were prepared to provide high mobility transportation and clear debris.

“The key to rapid response is staging personnel and equipment at key locations before the severe weather hits,” explained Brig. Gen. James W. Ring, Virginia National Guard director of the joint staff. “Our Soldiers, Airmen and Virginia Defense Force personnel quickly left their loved ones and their jobs on very short notice to assist their fellow Virginians in times of need, and we extend a special thanks to their families and employers for their continued support.”

Additional personnel in the Richmond area were alerted to be prepared to provide rotary wing rescue hoist, reconnaissance and aerial transport capabilities. Other Guard members can be called on if necessary to clear roads and offer high mobility transport.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s emergency declaration authorized the Virginia National Guard to bring personnel on state active duty to support state and local authorities in advance of possible severe weather.

Typical storm response missions for the Virginia National Guard include transporting first responders, distributing food and water to people in remote areas and using chain saws to clear roads or power line routes.

Additional Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force will provide logistics, administrative, operations center and public information support in the Richmond area and at the staging locations.

During domestic operations, the Virginia National Guard receives missions from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. The Guard is part of a multi-agency team that responds with other state and local agencies to assist Virginia communities.

Localities seeking VNG support should contact the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, which determines which organization can best help as they coordinate the regional and statewide response.

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