Blackstone Mayor Lafayette Dickens says a training event this month at Fort Pickett is projected to make an estimated $5 million positive impact on the local economy.
Bold Quest (Sept. 6th-30th) will include up to 2,000 military personnel and civilian support from 30 different countries. According to Dickens, “They will assess joint fire support, medical evacuation, air assaults, and UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems). Also they’re testing how to counter UAS attacks.”
Dickens said that last week involved final set-up and preparations at Pickett. This week, September 8th-12th, will involve participant arrival and system integration.
Dickens said “September 15th – 19th will be for lab and bench testing of equipment and technology.
“They go live September 22nd – 26th and expect the largest influx of people on September 20th – 21st. The program will include a STEM day on the 19th which brings in students from William and Mary, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia Tech, and Old Dominion.”
Dickens said food trucks will be on site at Pickett during the day, “but participants are free in the evenings and on weekends…They will be around for the Arts and Crafts Festival (this Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 13-14th, see ad, page 8) and Hometown Jams (Friday, Sept. 12th, see ad, page 9).”
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