Virginia National Guard soldiers from the West Point-based 237th Engineer Company use chainsaws to clear a fallen tree near Onancock Aug. 28 after having been staged in on the Eastern Shore Region of Virginia since Aug. 26. The Virginia National Guard moved approximately 325 soldiers, airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force to staging areas across the Commonwealth Aug. 26 in preparation for possible duty for recovery operations related to Hurricane Irene. Personnel are also on duty at the Virginia Guard Joint Operations Center in Sandston providing command and control and logistical support. The Virginia Guard has been authorized to bring as many as 500 personnel on state active duty to support Hurricane Irene operations. Additional forces have been alerted for possible duty after the storm passes through Virginia but have not actually begun staging and are on standby.