File:Virginia Defense Force conducts a Change of Unit Designation Ceremony.jpg

English: The Virginia Defense Force conducts a Change of Unit Designation Ceremony Sept. 28, 2013, at Fort Pickett as part of the organization's ongoing reorganization effort. During the ceremony, the VDF stood down the Black Horse and Highland Brigades and activated the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Regiments. In previously held ceremonies, the VDF deactivated the Lafayette Brigade and stood up the 1st Regiment. The all-volunteer VDF is in the final stages of a reorganization that will make them more flexible and capable of providing the mission packages as prescribed by the Virginia National Guard Defense Support to Civil Authorities Playbook. Some of the response packages include Incident Management Assistance Teams, JOC Augmentation Teams as well as teams focused on interoperable communications and shelter management. At the end of the ceremony, retiring VDF Command Sgt. Maj. Andy Stevens was recognized for his 28 years of active duty service in the U. S. Army and 11 years of service in the VDF. After the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, addressed VDF leaders at their annual Commander's Conference. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs)