VIRGINIA DEFENSE FORCE AVIATION BATTALION

VIRGINIA DEFENSE FORCE AVIATION BATTALION

The Mission of the Virginia Defense Force is to support the Virginia National Guard at the following times:
Assume control of National Guard facilities during their deployment Assist in National Guard Mobilization
Support the National Guard Family Assistance Program Perform all tasks currently performed by the National Guard to protect life and property upon their deployment out of country Perform tasks unique to the Post Mobilization Environment The Aviation Battalion provides support for the infantry in the above missions and also provides defense force, local law enforcement and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries with the capability to do aerial surveys, search and rescue, and aerial photography.

The aviation battalion is organized into 4 line companies located at strategic airfields throughout the Commonwealth and a headquarters located at Blackstone Army Airfield, Fort Pickett, VA. Each line company has aviators/aircraft owners who fly various missions in support of the VADF and, on occasion, the Virginia Army National Guard. Typical missions the battalion trains for include search and rescue, storm damage assessment, agency support, VIP transport, and medical transport/ assistance. While the aviators fly (or rent) their own aircraft the state provides fuel in support of this training.

                                            LTC TATUM                                                                                                              MAJ. HARDWICKE
                                         E-Mail- BN CDR                                                                                                                E-Mail- BN XO

LTC Tatum is a seven year veteran of the VADF. Prior to his assignment as Commanding Officer, he was the unit executive officer and prior to that C Company commander. Col Tatum served in the US ARMY as an Armor Officer. He is a VMI graduate, a pilot and aircraft owner and has flown over 300 missions for the VADF, almost all in a Cessna Skyhawk.

Lawrence S. (Larry) Hardwicke, grew up in Richmond,he now lives in Urbanna. Retired from the Navy after 24 years of active duty. Worked on many different aircraft in the Navy, and was a flight engineer. Flew test and evaluation flights on new equipment for Lockheed-Martin at their NASA Test Facility at Langley Air Force Base. Worked for Falcon Airways in Texas. MAJ. Hardwicke is the Maintenance Director for Greenwood Flying Service. In 1998 he purchased a Cessna T 210 and found the VADF at FAA safety meeting at Shannon Airport in Fredericksburg.He became a pilot in A company and later became the Co. CDR of A co. On July 21, 2007 he became the XO for the Aviation Battalion.

Aubrey L. Moseley

Retired U.S, Army Reserve

CSM Aviation Battalion

FT. Pickett Blackstone, Va.

CSM Moseley
E-Mail- BN CSM