by a state is authorized by 32 USC 109 (c). Title 44-54 of the Virginia Code sets the targeted membership of the Virginia Defense Force at 1,200 members. Activation is by an executive order of the Governor in the event of an emergency; or the President if there is a declaration of a disaster area. Title 44–54.12, although providing for the use of armories and other state lands for Defense Force purposes, specifically prohibits members of the Defense Force from training with firearms, without the specific instruction/authorization of the Governor. The Defense Force is evolving into a Civil Affairs command and will provide training in military related specialties such as communication, infrastructure restoration, public shelters, traffic control, and unarmed security missions. VDF companies and battalions are self-training but conduct annual training as a division every year at Ft. Pickett, Virginia. Many of the VDF members have conducted training with FEMA, NIMS, ICS, the United States Armed Forces, Virginia State Police, as well as meeting the requirements of SGAUS. During the Iraq War, the VDF was tasked with securing vacated armories, maintaining equipment, and providing support to families of deployed troops. The VDF maintains several Shelter Augmentation Liaison Teams (SALT), with each team consisting of three VDF members who serve as liaisons between the Virginia State Police and the Virginia National Guard in the event that the National Guard is deployed to take over shelter management from the police during a stateside emergency. During a deployment, the teams will deploy with the state police, note the practices and procedures put in place, and brief the National Guard on these procedures when the National Guard arrive so as to provide a smooth transition in the change of command. The Virginia Military Advisory Council is the Defense Force's link to a higher authority and the staff of the Adjutant General of Virginia. For 2011, the budget passed by the Virginia Legislature allocated to the Virginia Defense Force about $240,000. Reorganization and Consolidation Prior to 2014 the Virginia Defense Force command structure consisted of a single Light infantry division, the George Washington Division, with its headquarters and attached Military Policy Company and Communications Battalion operating out of the Virginia National Guard Headquarters (formerly at the Dove Street Armory in Richmond, Virginia) as command and control overseeing five Regiments, each consisting of two or more companies, representing regions across the Commonwealth. After a major force-wide