RICHMOND, Va. –
Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, provided an information update on the Virginia National Guard to the members of the Virginia General Assembly Military and Veterans Caucus Jan. 18, 2023, in Richmond, Virginia.
Key statistics Williams briefed included a current strength of approximately 7,200 Soldiers and 1,300 Airmen. He also shared federal economic impact data indicating the VNG generates approximately $392 million in economic activity, $2.1 billion in facilities and $1.8 billion in dual-purpose equipment available for use during domestic response operations.
Williams also provided an update on the historic pace of federal active duty mobilization over the last 18 months.
From August 2021 to December 2022, more than 2,000 Virginia National Guard personnel have mobilized on federal active duty in the United States and overseas, the most since 2007.
VNG Soldiers on duty in the U.S. provided aviation, engineer, transportation and unmanned aerial surveillance support to the Department of Defense-approved mission assisting Customs and Border Protection on the Southwest Border and cyberspace operations support to U.S. Cyber Command.
Soldiers deployed overseas provided mission command for multi-national forces in Kuwait, mission command and base life support in Iraq and Kuwait, a security response force in the Horn of Africa, air defense site security in Iraq and conducted NATO peace support operations in Kosovo. VNG Airmen also supported a short-notice air superiority support in the United Arab Emirates.
VNG Soldiers are currently providing engineer utilities support in Kuwait and are scheduled to return in early 2023.
Since September 11, 2001, more than 18,500 VNG Soldiers and Airmen have mobilized across the globe and here in the United States for homeland security missions.
The Virginia Department of Military Affairs sponsored the following bills and budget amendments in 2023 General Assembly session:
- Senate Bill 955, sponsored by Sen. Frank Ruff, updates language regarding the remaining military service obligation and Special Arrangement Contracts for the State Tuition Assistance Program
- Senate Bill 1068, sponsored by Sen. Janet Howell, and House Bill 1843, sponsored by Del. Barry Knight, request capital outlay funding to renovate facilities at the State Military Reservation for the establishment of the Job ChalleNGe program
- Section C-70 of the budget provides $3 million to be used as match for federal funding that becomes available for repair, improvement or modernization projects at Readiness Centers
- Section C-70.50 of the budget provides nongeneral fund appropriation to construct a new Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston.
- Section C-71.20 of the budget provides state funds for planning and design purposes to allow the Department of Military Affairs to compete for federal funds for construction projects.