by Neil Richard
The 98th Civil Affairs Battalion landed in King George County again, this time arriving by car instead of parachute. As with last year's exercises, the format was to brief County leadership and staff on their goals, answer questions from residents at a Town Hall, and give presentations with their findings. Many of the men and women of Bravo Company were not only new to Civil Affairs but also new to each other as teammates. Despite this challenge, they exceeded expectations and handled themselves as well as, and sometimes better than, the previous teams.
The week began with a presentation to show the general overview of the group's plan and their main focus. There were four individual teams, each with a different area to research and develop a plan for the end of the week. During the week, each team met with local residents, business owners, and regional partners. Just like last year, each team was met with challenges, some real, some manufactured, to help them in their training exercise.
One point that was emphasized early and often was that even though this was a training exercise, both sides of the symbiotic relationship saw a real world impact. Dr. Neiman Young, County Administrator, cited a specific Sergeant from the previous trainees that spoke to him after his deployment. Young said the Sergeant gave examples from his experience in King George that helped complete their mission while deployed. Ruby Brabo also cited benefits to the County, including a partnership with the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail (DRHT) that helped expand the options available to the Parks and Recreation Department [EDITOR'S NOTE - Neil Richard, a co-founder of Project94, is the Treasurer of the Friends of DRHT.].
Before going into the end results from each team, it should be noted that these results were driven by a short week, multiple interviews and on-site surveys, and input from elected officials. As was the case last year, the presentations given had some obvious facts stated, some new ideas given, and were generally well received. The presentations are also not binding in any way, but rather an outsider's perspective on what can be done to resolve current or future issues.
Economic Development
This group recommended a workshop or summit for the Economic Development Authority, Economic Development Department, Tourism Advisory Committee, and other groups to better work together and collaborate as a group. They also recommended looking into regional partnerships to see where membership money could best be spent.
Parks and Recreation
This group looked mostly at the river access in the County. With Wayside Park on the Potomac River going away when the new 301 Bridge is built, the County would be left with one County-owned water access location; Wilmont Landing. After reviewing the area, they recommended making minor improvements but nothing more. Due to County property being surrounded by a National Wildlife Refuge, only four spaces on site, and the Rappahannock River being one of the fastest in the state, they felt it would be too expensive, too complicated, and too dangerous to make large improvements there.
However, they recommended using existing, privately owned water access points instead. They felt using a Private-Public Partnership (P3) could benefit the property owner, local businesses, and the County. Locations mentioned were Fairview Beach, Waugh Point, Caledon, Machodoc Creek Marina, and Still Water Marina. They also clarified that the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) owned the Hopyard Landing access point and that it was open to the public.
Transportation
In looking at the transportation needs and challenges of those working on base and living in the surrounding area, this team suggested using a variety of methods to help curb traffic and increase the speed of access onto base. They suggested van pools, bike lanes, micro-bussing, and even changes to access control. Citing the public transit system in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, their home base, they felt a public or ride sharing option was feasible. Alternating traffic at the gates and even special HOV lanes at the gates may require more work but were still in the realm of the possible.
Emergency Operations
In being tasked with refining the current Emergency Operations process, this group said they found so few deficiencies, they would instead present their findings on the security assessment they did for the Courthouse and Revercomb Building. Using the two existing options of building a new Courthouse or to use existing buildings, they felt their plan could work for either of those options or anything in between until a final solution was developed. By focusing on improving security at the Courthouse, increasing drills at the Revercomb Building, and identifying the benefits and challenges of any solution, this group felt their ideas could be used now and in the future regardless of what the final answer is for the Courthouse question.
In closing, this young group made an impression with their innovative ideas. There were stumbling points along the way but they learned from their mistakes and adapted well. There level of detail was great but the depth of their research was most impressive. Not only how much was done before their arrival but also during their stay. I wish them well in their future deployments and know that they will not be forgotten.
The 98th Civil Affairs Battalion landed in King George County again, this time arriving by car instead of parachute. As with last year's exercises, the format was to brief County leadership and staff on their goals, answer questions from residents at a Town Hall, and give presentations with their findings. Many of the men and women of Bravo Company were not only new to Civil Affairs but also new to each other as teammates. Despite this challenge, they exceeded expectations and handled themselves as well as, and sometimes better than, the previous teams.
The week began with a presentation to show the general overview of the group's plan and their main focus. There were four individual teams, each with a different area to research and develop a plan for the end of the week. During the week, each team met with local residents, business owners, and regional partners. Just like last year, each team was met with challenges, some real, some manufactured, to help them in their training exercise.
One point that was emphasized early and often was that even though this was a training exercise, both sides of the symbiotic relationship saw a real world impact. Dr. Neiman Young, County Administrator, cited a specific Sergeant from the previous trainees that spoke to him after his deployment. Young said the Sergeant gave examples from his experience in King George that helped complete their mission while deployed. Ruby Brabo also cited benefits to the County, including a partnership with the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail (DRHT) that helped expand the options available to the Parks and Recreation Department [EDITOR'S NOTE - Neil Richard, a co-founder of Project94, is the Treasurer of the Friends of DRHT.].
Before going into the end results from each team, it should be noted that these results were driven by a short week, multiple interviews and on-site surveys, and input from elected officials. As was the case last year, the presentations given had some obvious facts stated, some new ideas given, and were generally well received. The presentations are also not binding in any way, but rather an outsider's perspective on what can be done to resolve current or future issues.
Economic Development
This group recommended a workshop or summit for the Economic Development Authority, Economic Development Department, Tourism Advisory Committee, and other groups to better work together and collaborate as a group. They also recommended looking into regional partnerships to see where membership money could best be spent.
Parks and Recreation
This group looked mostly at the river access in the County. With Wayside Park on the Potomac River going away when the new 301 Bridge is built, the County would be left with one County-owned water access location; Wilmont Landing. After reviewing the area, they recommended making minor improvements but nothing more. Due to County property being surrounded by a National Wildlife Refuge, only four spaces on site, and the Rappahannock River being one of the fastest in the state, they felt it would be too expensive, too complicated, and too dangerous to make large improvements there.
However, they recommended using existing, privately owned water access points instead. They felt using a Private-Public Partnership (P3) could benefit the property owner, local businesses, and the County. Locations mentioned were Fairview Beach, Waugh Point, Caledon, Machodoc Creek Marina, and Still Water Marina. They also clarified that the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) owned the Hopyard Landing access point and that it was open to the public.
Transportation
In looking at the transportation needs and challenges of those working on base and living in the surrounding area, this team suggested using a variety of methods to help curb traffic and increase the speed of access onto base. They suggested van pools, bike lanes, micro-bussing, and even changes to access control. Citing the public transit system in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, their home base, they felt a public or ride sharing option was feasible. Alternating traffic at the gates and even special HOV lanes at the gates may require more work but were still in the realm of the possible.
Emergency Operations
In being tasked with refining the current Emergency Operations process, this group said they found so few deficiencies, they would instead present their findings on the security assessment they did for the Courthouse and Revercomb Building. Using the two existing options of building a new Courthouse or to use existing buildings, they felt their plan could work for either of those options or anything in between until a final solution was developed. By focusing on improving security at the Courthouse, increasing drills at the Revercomb Building, and identifying the benefits and challenges of any solution, this group felt their ideas could be used now and in the future regardless of what the final answer is for the Courthouse question.
In closing, this young group made an impression with their innovative ideas. There were stumbling points along the way but they learned from their mistakes and adapted well. There level of detail was great but the depth of their research was most impressive. Not only how much was done before their arrival but also during their stay. I wish them well in their future deployments and know that they will not be forgotten.
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