VNG deploys helicopters with water buckets to help wildfire fighting in Madison County - Nov. 6, 2023

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division provide aerial fire suppression support Nov. 6, 2023, in Madison County, Virginia, to support wildfire fighting in the area. After Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, the VNG deployed two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with 660-gallon water buckets at the request of the Virginia Department of Forestry. The helicopters are scheduled to return Nov. 7 to continue assisting DOF. Read the full text of Executive Order Number 29 declaring the state of emergency at ngpa.us/27511.