VDF conducts 24-hour communications exercise

Members of the Virginia Defense Force conduct a 24-hour communications exercise March 5, 2016, in Winchester, Virginia. Operating in their Mobile Communications Platform trailers, VDF members used high frequency radios as well as other systems for voice and data communications with VDF MCPs in Sandston, Lynchburg and Pulaski, as well as civilian amateur radio operators. The 24-hour exercise was designed to test the VDF's ability to conduct continuous operations in the event of incident that degrades normal communications capabilities.

Providing interoperable communications is one of the many different missions sets the VDF provides as the all-volunteer auxiliary to the Virginia National Guard. That mission set, along with others like operations center augmentation and operational planning, take advantage of the wide variety of public safety, military and civilian skills that VDF members provide.

The VDF is an all-volunteer force authorized by the Code of Virginia and organized under the Virginia Department of Military Affairs reporting to the Adjutant General of Virginia. The members of the VDF volunteer their time for training and are only paid when called to state active duty by an authorization from the Governor of Virginia.