Woodbridge, Va. – After Virginia’s loss of one large military neighbor, the Potomac Communities may soon be home to another.
Woodbridge District Supervisor candidate Chris Royse announced Friday he’s been working with AFRICOM, the U.S. military’s joint command for all things Africa, urging them to relocate from Germany to Woodbridge.
“Many people look at Africa as a place, but it’s multiple nations, multiple diverse cultures, and it’s becoming more and more strategically important to the United States in terms of its location and different threats that have evolved there, and natural resources,” said Royse.
The announcement comes one day after U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) closed down its operation in Suffolk, leaving many business leaders in that city reeling the wake of lost government contracts and other services workers at the command brought to the city since 1999.
While he’s not clear on how many jobs a new AFRICOM headquarters would bring to the area, or when a decision could be made to relocate, Royse said access to two Virginia Railway Express stations with connections to Metro makes eastern Prince William an east choice.
“There could be opportunity for a headquarters in Woodbridge, rapid access to pentagon by a sustainable option, is exactly where the [Department of Defense] is wanting to move, this is what they’re looking for in BRAC. It’s ‘how do we reduce commuter time, become more green, and have more reliable transportation between where our commanders need to be to keep the security of the United States moving forward,” said Royse.
The Republican said he waited until JCOM closed down operations before making the announcement, and adds he plans to make bringing AFRICOM to Woodbridge a campaign issue. He faces democratic incumbent Frank Principi in the general election Nov. 8.
Recent Stories
This past week, we broke a big story and garnered international attention for our reporting.
Russet Husky Manassas, VA
Black Labrador Retriever Mix Fredericksburg, VA
Due to unforeseen staffing issues, Stafford County Animal Shelter will be closed until at least Monday, May 20.
FREE Leadership Sessions will be conducted at the George Mason University –Arlington Campus for High School Latinas. The program runs from Monday 7/15 through Friday 7/19 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM EST each day (1-week).
Las sesiones de liderazgo GRATUITAS se llevarán a cabo en el campus de George Mason University – Arlington para latinas de secundaria. El programa se desarrollará desde el lunes 15 de julio hasta el viernes 19 de julio, de 10:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. EST cada día (1 semana).
Our goal is to equip students with the fundamentals of self-promotion and guide them in shaping their personal brand for future success. What sets this program apart is its integration of self-awareness activities and mentorship by seasoned professionals.
Sessions begin with a thorough assessment of leadership dynamics on July 15th, participants delve into the intricacies of personal branding and etiquette on July 16th, followed by practical guidance on crafting compelling LinkedIn profiles and resumes on July 17th. July 18th emphasizes the art of storytelling through personal statements, while July 19th culminates in portfolio presentations, allowing participants to showcase their newfound skills. The program concludes on July 20th with a memorable graduation ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of the ELITE Academy’s graduates and their journey towards leadership excellence.
We are honored to have the Honorable Andrea O. Bailey of the Potomac District, along with the esteemed leadership of Prince William County, hosting our 4th Annual 5K Walk for Mental Health Awareness. This event is a testament to their commitment to educate, advocate for, and dispel myths and stigma surrounding mental illness.
Dust off your running or walking shoes, bring your pets, and move with us in this county-wide FREE event in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month on Saturday, May 18th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This year’s theme is Movement: Moving for Your Mental Health.
We will walk along a scenic multi-purpose trail in a wooded setting with sufficient signage to meet the needs of the walkers at Locust Shade Park, 4701 Locust Shade Drive, Triangle, Virginia 22192.
Tapas and Tequila: A Fun Fundraiser
The GTSCCF provides year round programming to our residents and others from nearby low income communities. Our goal is to educate and empower them bringing about a level of equality for all. We are trying to buy a 15 passenger
