Congressman Cantor visits Va. Guard JOC

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) visits the Virginia National Guard Joint Operations Center Oct. 28 in Sandston as Guard personnel prepare for possible recovery operations from Hurricane Sandy. Cantor received a situation update brief and then visited with JOC personnel to thank them for their service and express his confidence in the Virginia Guard's level of readiness for the severe weather. The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 500 personnel on state active duty, and the Virginia Army Guard and Virginia Defense Force are staging personnel in Fredericksburg, the Richmond metro area, Eastern Shore area and Hampton Roads with personnel and equipment capable of performing high water transport, debris reduction and reconnaissance patrols. The Virginia National Guard has not received any specific mission taskings, but personnel are moving into support areas on Saturday and will be ready for duty as directed by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.