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Headquarters, First Army
4705 N. Wheeler Drive
Forest Park, GA 30297 - 5000
DEPARTMENTS OF THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE
OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD
BUILDING 316, FORT PICKETT
BLACKSTONE, VIRGINIA 23824-6316FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
RELEASE 2002 - 44 September 27, 2002
For Additional Information Contact:
CHESTER C CARTER III
Lieutenant Colonel, Va. Army National Guard
Public Affairs Officer
Commercial: 434.298.6107 DSN 438.6107
Fax: 434.298.6303 DSN 438.6303
Cell: 804.840.0303
e-mail: chester.carter@va.ngb.army.mil
Virginia National Guard Web Site: <http://www.virginiaguard.com>Virginia Army Guard Units Alerted for Mobilization
BLACKSTONE, Va. - Major General Claude Williams announced that as a part of an ongoing contingency planning process, some units of the 1st Brigade, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Virginia Army National Guard, are being alerted for possible federal mobilization. This mobilization, if it occurs, would be in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle; the United States' response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. If the units were ordered to active duty it would initially be for a one-year period. A mobilization station and deployment location has not been designated; Department of the Army would provide that information if the units are in fact mobilized.
General Williams emphasized that a mobilization order has not been received and a final decision to mobilize the units has not been reached. The decision to mobilize an Army National Guard unit and place it in a federal status occurs at the Department of Defense in response to the nation's military needs. He said it is a very dynamic process and is constantly subject to change. Williams emphasized the activity currently taking place at the units is being done to assure that soldiers are ready should a mobilization order be received.
General Williams said Virginia Army and Air National Guard units are always subject to mobilization and being placed in a federal status. General Williams pointed out that the soldiers and their families and employers affected by a mobilization should have as much advance notice as possible. He indicated his primary concern is assuring the soldiers and others affected by the mobilization have an opportunity to fully prepare if the unit is in fact mobilized.
General Williams said that he would not speculate on a date the units may be mobilized or if they would in fact be mobilized. He re-stated the Virginia National Guard has not received a mobilization order affecting these units. He pointed out he commanded a Virginia Army National Guard unit that was mobilized and deployed overseas during Operation Desert Storm. He said the original date for his unit mobilization changed. He also pointed out more recently Virginia National Guard units had been notified of potential deployments in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and those deployments did not take place in all cases.
Units of the 1st Brigade being considered for mobilization are:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry - Lynchburg, Va.
Company A, 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry, Charlottesville and Lynchburg, Va.
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry, Lexington, Va.
Company C, 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry, Harrisonburg, Va.General Williams pointed out several Virginia Army National Guard units are currently serving in a federal status. The 246th Field Artillery which has units stationed in Danville, Martinsville, Chatham, and South Boston, and E Battery, 111th Field Artillery which is located in Sandston, entered active federal service on August 1, 2002 and are currently serving at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. He also noted that Company B, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, stationed at Fort A. P. Hill, Va. is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He said that any information regarding the federal mobilization of Virginia Army or Air National Guard units would be released as soon as it becomes available.
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