HART receives Virginia Bronze Star for hurricane rescues
Virginia National Guard and Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services senior leaders presented the VNG Bronze Star to members of the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team for their work performing rescues in 2024 during Hurricane Helene April 22, 2025, in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the VNG Director of the Joint Staff, Col. Craig Lewis, the VNG State Aviation Officer and Chief Edward L. Senter Jr., Fire Chief for Chesterfield Fire and EMS, all thanked the VNG aviators and Chesterfield rescue technicians for supporting emergency operations in Southwest Virginia during Hurricane Helene. During those operations, HART made their first real-world rescue hoist after years of rigorous, realistic training.
“I want to say to the firefighters and Soldiers here, thank you for what you did, all the hours you’ve put in, all of the extra effort,” said Hubbard. “Thank you for being the type to put your needs to the side and put the needs of the commonwealth and our citizens to the front.”
Lewis also thanked the supporting players behind the scenes who make the HART mission possible.
Virginia National Guard and Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services senior leaders present the VNG Bronze Star to members of the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team April 22, 2025, in Chesterfield, Virginia.