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A Message from the Commander The Virginia Defense Force was organized in 1985 with a stated mission to (1) Support total or partial mobilization of the Virginia Army National Guard units activated for federal duty and (2) Respond with Virginia National Guard units in state disaster situations. To meet these mission requirements, Virginia Defense Force units/personnel are physically located and train in thirty-three armories throughout the state. The Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force co-location paid dividends in 1990/1991 during Desert Storm; from 1997 onward during Virginia National Guard deployment in Bosnia; and as part of Operation Enduring Freedom since September 11, 2001, as Virginia Defense Force units have provided mobilization assistance, armory control, and opposing force training services for National Guard units called for service in America's War on Terrorism. In addition, since 1995 Virginia Defense Force units have served with Virginia National Guard units in several major disasters throughout the state. To maintain mission capability, Virginia Defense Force units participate in Virginia National Guard mobilization exercises and conduct Brigade and Division FTX/CPX disaster exercises in total compliance with Virginia National Guard disaster operations policy and procedures. Units train one day each month in assigned armories and conduct two semi-annual weekend training sessions each year at local states military installations. The Virginia Defense Force is controlled by The Adjutant General of Virginia and complies with the specific requirements in training, administration and logistics necessary to maintain a volunteer organization. The professional performance of this volunteer force received high praise from the Governor of Virginia, members of the Virginia General Assembly and the Department of Military Affairs, which provides the Virginia Defense Force with unprecedented support. The Virginia General Assembly in 1999 issued House Joint Resolution 439 commending the Virginia Defense Force for their thousands of volunteer hours dedicated to the state and local communities. This outstanding recognition by the highest governing authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia is an honor of which we are extremely proud. The Virginia Defense Force is structured by commands/units with rated positions that are needed to manage a volunteer organization. The duty uniform is the Army Battle Dress uniform and military training is modified to accomplish the mission. To enhance membership in the Virginia Defense Force, state and municipal employees are authorized up to fifteen days military leave for training duty or state active duty without loss of pay. Members are also covered under Workman's Compensation in event of personal injury while on training duty or state active duty. The success of any organization rests solely with the performance and ability of its members and Virginia has the finest. I am proud to be a member and part of a volunteer organization dedicated to serve their state and nation in time of need. In keeping with the true meaning of volunteerism and responding to the citizens of Virginia when called upon, we remain dedicated as -- VIRGINIANS SERVING THE COMMONWEALTH. MG Robert C. Dechert The Virginia Defense Force is organized as a light infantry division with four brigades, augmented by division-level signal and military police sections, and a statewide aviation battalion. Each brigade has an assigned Area of Responsibility (AOR) Virginia Military Reservists Prepare To Replace Deployed Guard Units As Iraq War Looms BLACKSTONE, VIRGINIA (VaDF PAO) -- Virginia Defense Force (VaDF) troops responded to multiple simulated disaster scenarios this weekend at Virginia's National Guard Maneuver Center outside Blackstone, about 60 miles southwest of Richmond. The Virginia Defense Force is the Commonwealth's official military reserve to the Virginia National Guard, and would be used to replace National Guard units called out-of-state in federal service. VaDF troops were trained at MOUT City (military operations in urban terrain), Fort Pickett's facility to simulate natural disaster, civil unrest, and warfare/terrorism conditions in urban environments. Soldiers were tasked with restoring order in a city devastated by a hurricane, with criminal and terrorist elements in play in the aftermath of the disaster. VaDF personnel were responsible for evacuating a school in which both students and teachers were injured, in shock, and incoherent - with a suspected child molester lurking in the damaged building. The simulation called for local government and first emergency responders to be overwhelmed by the scope of the disaster. Defense Force leaders were responsible for re-establishing civil government, and assisting government and responders until order was restored. The simulation called for local government and first emergency responders to be overwhelmed by the scope of the disaster. Defense Force leaders were responsible for re- establishing civil government, and assisting government and responders until order was restored. Restoration of order was made more difficult by the presence of looters and general civil unrest, along with a pending environmental disaster caused by storm damage to a chemical manufacturing facility. Troops also faced the challenge of halting an outbreak of anthrax and smallpox following the storm, due to a simulated biologic weapons attack by Iraqi agents. "Excluding flooding and mass riots, this exercise tested nearly every challenge that might be faced by Defense Force troops in a post-mobilization environment," says VaDF Commander Major General Bob Dechert of Chesapeake. "If Virginia faces mass overseas deployment of our National Guard, these troops need to be able to step into that vacuum, and assume all the in-state duties of the Guard. This field training exercise provided a powerful tool in bringing the Force up-to-speed for that mission." The exercise tested every element of the Defense Force. Light infantry units restored order in the simulated city, signal units established emergency communications networks, medical staff provided an emergency medical treatment center, military police apprehended looters and suspected terrorists, and aviation units provided aerial observation services. COL Mike Coleman, Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations (DCSOPS), Virginia Army National Guard, discusses Mout City exercise with BG John Taylor Deputy Commanding General John Taylor of Emporia says the assistance of the Virginia Army National Guard was instrumental in making the exercise a success. BG Forrest Tignor assumes command post operations "This is one of the finest urban warfare training sites in the country," Taylor says. "Guard assistance in making MOUT City available for this exercise, along with billeting, is critical to Defense Force mission-readiness. This is one the reasons that Fort Pickett remains the leader in National Guard training sites nationwide." Senior Deputy Commander Brigadier General Forrest Tignor provided early operational command for the exercise, establishing a Division command post at Fort Pickett Friday. Commander MG Bob Dechert arrived Saturday to assume overall command. VaDF 4th Brigade troops provided all training for the operation, functioning as both simulated victims and perpetrators. Units participating in training included 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades, along with Aviation Battalion, and Signal, Medical, and Military Police Sections. Medical officers treated multiple real casualties among the 342 troops, including one condition leading to hospitalization. Aviation Battalion pilot LT James Wilson, of Danville, VA and observer LT William McGee provide aerial support in a 1946 Cessna.