By Maj. Cotton Puryear
Virginia Guard Public Affairs
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard will close the armory located in Richmond and relocate units currently stationed at the facility to other Virginia Guard installations throughout the state, Maj. Gen. Robert B. Newman, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, announced Sept. 9.
The decision to close the Richmond facility located on Dove Street was part of Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s 2010 budget reduction plan. Closing the Richmond facility, along with closing the Roanoke armory, will result in a projected 2010 budget reduction of $115,000.
“The Virginia National Guard, like many state agencies, has been forced to make difficult decisions in these tough economic times,” Newman said. “The decision to close the facility in Richmond was not an easy one, but it made the most sense given our current location of units.”
The number of Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers and units impacted by the move are:
Headquarters, 91st Troop Command, consisting of approximately 40 Soldiers, will relocate to the Sandston Readiness Center.
Headquarters Company, 276th Engineer Battalion and A Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, consisting of approximately 175 Soldiers, will relocate to the Bowling Green Readiness Center.
Headquarters Company, 1710th Transportation Company, consisting of approximately 65 Soldiers, will relocate to the Petersburg Readiness Center.
A Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, consisting of approximately 95 Soldiers, will relocate to the Sandston Readiness Center.
Newman said that any Soldier who would have to drive more than 50 miles to their new duty location would be given the option of being reassigned to a unit closer to Richmond area.
