ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, October 17, 1996             TAG: 9610170048
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: FREDERICKSBURG
SOURCE: Associated Press

MEMBERSHIP IN GUARD DECLINING FOCUS SHIFTS FROM DEFENSE TO DISASTER AID

The Virginia Army National Guard lost a third of its force during the past four years, and the remaining soldiers are focusing more on disaster relief than defense.

With the demise of the Soviet Union and the lessening likelihood of the Guard being mobilized for war, efforts have shifted to disaster management, said Del. Gladys Keating, a Fairfax County Democrat who chairs the House of Delegates' Militia and Police Committee.

Keating said recent floods and winter storms have proved the Guard's value.

``We probably would not have enough people to help in disasters if it weren't for the Guard,'' Keating said. ``For the little amount the state pays to operate the Guard we get a lot in return.''

The state's share of the Virginia Guard's budget fell from $5.8 million a year ago to $4.5 million. The federal government appropriated $138 million last year, $120 million this year.

The state Guard's authorized strength fell from 12,000 in 1992 to 7,900 this year. The Guard had 7,500 soldiers as of Oct. 1, meaning there are 400 openings.

The shrinkage reflects the Pentagon's cutbacks since the end of the Cold War, state Guard spokesman Maj. Thomas Wilkinson said. He said the reductions have not hurt the Guard's ability to respond to emergencies, though.

Guard members drill one weekend a month and spend 15 consecutive days, usually in the spring or summer, taking part in additional training. Pay for a weekend drill ranges from $107.88 for a new private to $709.16 for a colonel with 20 years' service.

This summer, about 100 active-duty Guard members helped localities hit hard by flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Fran. Last winter, 500 helped out during snowstorms, including the January blizzard.

``We're valuable to the state because of the equipment we have,'' said Capt. John Knapp, operations officer for the Fredericksburg unit.

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