Joint training exercise brings together Va. Guard aviators, first responders - June 8, 2015

Virginia Army National Guard aviation crews conduct a a joint search and rescue exercise with state and Richmond-area emergency services personnel June 8, 2015, at Powhatan State Park. Agencies involved in the exercise included the Virginia State Police, Chesterfield Fire and EMS, Powhatan Fire, Goochland Fire and Rescue, Henrico Fire Search and Rescue, Powhatan Emergency Management, Central Virginia All-Hazards Incident Management Team and the Virginia Army National Guard.

The scenario-based training event put simulated victims in the James River where they were rescued by hoist on a Virginia National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, flown by Soldiers of the Chesterfield-based Detachment 2, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment. A Virginia Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter, from Chesterfield-based Detachment 1, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, served as the command and control element for the aviators, providing visual and directional assistance to the rescue helicopter along with a Virginia State Police helicopter.

This event continued to build on the partnership established between the Virginia National Guard aviators and area first responders over the past several years. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti, Virginia Guard Public Affairs)