Soldiers from the Fredericksburg-based Company A, 116th

Soldiers from the Fredericksburg-based Company A, 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct chain saw refresher training Oct. 27 outside the Fredericksburg readiness center. The soldiers are preparing for possible recovery operations in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. 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 tasks, but personnel are moving into support areas on Saturday and will be ready for duty as directed by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs)