Virginia National Guard to break ground on multi-purpose training facility at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA., VA, UNITED STATES

10.23.2014

Story by Cotton Puryear 

Virginia National Guard Public Affairs

CAMP PENDLETON, Va. — The Virginia National Guard will break ground on the first phase of a multi-purpose training facility at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Va., at 10 a.m. on Oct. 24, 2014.

The first phase of the facility will cost an estimated $1.8 million, occupy 1.5 acres and include two 70 feet by 120 feet steel framed tensioned fabric structures and two 180 feet square grids where military units can set up their tactical operations center equipment and conduct battalion, brigade and division-level command post exercises. The facility can also be used as a staging area for Virginia National Guard units preparing for National Guard civil support missions when on state active duty. In addition to use by tenant organizations such as the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron and the Commonwealth ChalleNGe, the new facility can also be used by other Department of Defense and public safety training customers. The first phase should be completed in early December.

"Investing in training facilities at Camp Pendleton is vital as we look ahead to the challenges of maintaining readiness in a resource-constrained environment and builds on the wide variety of existing facilities on the installation," said Brig. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. "Not only will this additional training capability benefit Virginia National Guard units in the Hampton Roads area, but it will also benefit the many different Department of Defense and public safety organizations that regularly train at Camp Pendleton."

The second phase of the project will add seven more grids for a total of 6.7 acres and cost of $3.85 million.

Camp Pendleton is a state-owned 328-acre installation that provides training facilities for National Guard units, as well as all other DOD active and reserve units and public safety organizations. The post features administrative buildings, conference facilities, barracks, classrooms, dining facilities, a live-fire qualification range and nine different virtual trainers as well as a chapel, fitness center, distance learning center, wooded training areas, helipad, land navigation course and military access beach and amphibious landing site.

FOR THE NEWS MEDIA: Reporters and photographers should plan to arrive at the Camp Pendleton front gate by 9:30 a.m. with photo ID and press credentials. Please RSVP to Cotton Puryear at [e-mail] or 804-539-1451 by Thursday at 5 p.m. if you plan to attend and coordinate for access to the post.

• Date Taken: 10.23.2014
• Date Posted: 10.23.2014 07:42
• Story ID: 145855
• Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA., VA, US