Ceremony marks start of federal duty for Task Force Normandy

More than 450 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team mark the start of their federal active service at a departure ceremony Sept. 9, 2015, at Fort A. P. Hill, Va. The battalion, also known as Task Force Normandy, is made up of units from around the state, and they are scheduled to deploy to Qatar where they are expected to conduct security missions in support of contingency operations in the region. The mobilization is expected to be for about 12 months.

Lt. Col. Kurt K. Kobernik, commander of Task Force Normandy, and Command Sgt. Maj. Alvin N. Martin, the battalion command sergeant major, cased the unit’s organizational colors to signify the unit’s departure from Virginia, and the colors will be uncased when they begin their mission in Qatar. Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran joined Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Col. William J. Coffin, commander of the 116th IBCT, in thanking the Soldiers for their service and expressed their appreciation to families for their support of the unit’s mission.

The Covington-based 29th Division Band provided ceremonial music for the ceremony.

Read more at go.usa.gov/3Md3B.