Courtesy Photo | Responders from a National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)...... read more read more
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. - U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) facilitated one of its most complex training exercises, Ardent Sentry 2013 (AS-13), from May 16-23 to coincide with the beginning of hurricane season.
USNORTHCOM designated three separate joint task forces (JTF) to exercise their personnel in hurricane preparedness and interoperability during a simultaneous chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) situation.
The Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC), headquartered in Norfolk, Va., deployed several mission-tailored teams to participate in this multi-faceted training exercise and further enhance the broad knowledge base the command brings when disaster strikes.
Personnel from each of the JECC’s three subordinate joint commands – the Joint Planning Support Element (JPSE), the Joint Public Affairs Support Element (JPASE) and the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) – supported AS-13.
JPASE had four joint public affairs experts who worked within the white cell from Suffolk, Va., during this exercise, and JCSE had two highly trained joint communicators who provided communications support from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
As outlined in the Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Execute Order (EXORD), JCSE and JPASE are pre-assigned forces during domestic disaster relief operations. However, since JPSE is not included, USNORTHCOM found it prudent to incorporate a drill using the Global Response Force (GRF) EXORD request process to validate the capabilities and ability of the JECC to provide joint planning capabilities.
Correspondingly, the JECC placed a large emphasis on JPSE’s participation in AS-13 with the majority of exercise participants coming from JPSE.
The GRF drill took place at the headquarters level to verify the "behind-the-scenes" coordination between USNORTHCOM, as the requesting combatant command, and U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), as the force provider and JECC’s higher headquarters.
Each J3 Operations directorate rehearsed the process to request, validate and deploy JECC’s mission-critical capabilities on short notice.
“Exercising the command and control of enabling forces is critical because of the speed of response needed during a DSCA mission,” said the JECC J3 operations director, U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey Vandenbussche. “Responding to crisis situations leaves little room for failure and when we exercise these coordination chains we ensure USTRANSCOM and its JECC capabilities are positioned to support when requested.
”In preparation for DSCA-like situations, AS-13 was focused on building awareness and fostering lasting relations between federal, state and local agencies, including active duty and National Guard forces. AS-13 reinforced the JECC’s ability to rapidly deploy its mission-critical capabilities and further expedite efforts in complex, joint operational environments within the USNORTHCOM area of operations."
JPSE personnel were requested to fill significant staff positions at JTF-Florida, JTF CBRN and JTF-South Carolina by providing joint planning expertise in support of each JTF’s respective mission.
Although, unlike previous exercises, JPSE joined AS-13 a few days after the start date to add realism to the exercise.
“For this exercise we rapidly integrated within the staff after the JTF was already established which is more realistic to how we operate during real-world events,” said JPSE team lead for AS-13, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Coleman. “As conditions change in a real-world disaster-response situation, the JECC’s support may be requested based on the value-added support we can provide and our ability to quickly contribute to the mission at hand.”
Six JPSE members deployed to the South Carolina Emergency Operations Center, located in Columbia, S.C., in support of JTF – South Carolina to expedite planning efforts between federal, state and interagency organizations in actively preparing for a simulated hurricane.
By bringing this whole of government approach to the exercise, AS-13 successfully identified the roles and responsibilities of each party involved.
“After 15 years of training for combat-type missions, supporting this exercise was a great opportunity to see the operational aspects of a DSCA mission and get a firsthand understanding of the U.S. military in a strictly supportive role,” said Coleman, who supported JTF-South Carolina.
Similarly, five additional JPSE members deployed to JTF-Florida at Camp Blanding, Fla., to assist with organizing and operating another JTF, demonstrating the JECC’s ability to support operations from multiple locations. Although this JTF was also focused on responding to the hurricane scenario, each JTF worked with the local state-level emergency response teams to provide expertise in the planning process and in developing the decision-making tools to efficiently meet mission requirements.
“Based on our collective real-world experience from supporting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts and other events, we are well-versed in joint planning in high operational tempos. The more we practice and build relations with potential mission partners, especially in DSCA missions, they better off we will be when we have to do this in real life,” said JPSE member U.S. Navy Capt. David Critchley, who led the JPSE team supporting JTF-Florida.
While JTF Florida and JTF South Carolina executed hurricane response efforts, USNORTHCOM concurrently stood up a third JTF also at Camp Blanding, Fla., in response to a simulated CBRNE incident. Although the Florida National Guard and federal agencies in the area regularly drill their personnel to support disaster relief efforts, the state-level authorities might also request help from active duty forces for this additional mission requirement.
“Participating in this exercise better refined our understanding of the state operators’ roles and how we can flex our capabilities to support their current processes and plans and make operations work efficiently,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Aaron Fitzsimmons, who served in of the Future Operations section of JTF-CBRN’s J3. “Our joint planning expertise made us flexible to support each mission.”
Working through these complex scenarios enhanced the understanding of the type of support each party involved can bring to these specific operations. JPSE’s support to the exercise synchronized efforts as each JTF collaboratively worked with the military and civilian agencies toward a single, uniform plan to reach mission success.
While fostering strong trust-based relations with the local, state and federal agencies, AS-13 fully exercised the level of preparation necessary to react to crisis situations.
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2013 14:33 |
| Story ID: | 109388 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, JECC enhances complex planning efforts during Ardent Sentry, by Julianne Sympson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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