Wildfires spark deployment of Army North Command Post

Photo By Spc. Adam Blazak | Commanding General of U.S Army North Operational Command Post, Maj. Gen. Tom Matthews along with Chief of Staff of U.S Army North Command Operational Command Post, Col. Jim Kennedy listen intently to a current events briefing inside the operational command post.  

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, UNITED STATES

10.29.2007

Story by Spc. Adam Blazak 

11th Public Affairs Detachment

Story and photos by Pfc. Adam C. Blazak, 11th Public Affairs Detachment, Fort Hood, Texas

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- With the wildfires continuing to ravage Southern California, the Operational Command Post 2 deployed to March Air Reserve Base, California, Wednesday, to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to the crisis.

"After we got the call, we had 36 hours to deploy our personnel and equipment," said Army Lt. Col. Nicholas C. Gonzales, the officer-in-charge of logistics.

With the help of personnel at March, the deployment to California went without any major obstacles.

"The coordination between the agencies has been great," he said. "People were ready to greet us when we arrived on the tarmac."

The OCP2 is comprised of more than 70 service members, Department of Defense civilians and Department of the Army civilians. Their mission is to support the lead federal agent by providing transportation, engineer support, meals, tents and any other approved military capability.

Based out of Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the OCP2 plays an integral part in providing additional support to national disasters.

"We're here to provide services to citizens of the United States," said Gonzales.

While this is the first large-scale homeland defense deployment of an OCP to assist FEMA, operations have been running smoothly.

"We've established a battle rhythm, which is what we were taught during past training exercises," said Army Maj. Tammy L. Howell, an operations officer. "Everything is going smoothly. We've established contacts and have cross referenced with other service branches."
One important aspect in setting up an operational command post is communications.

"We set up commo [communication] inside the OCP, back to the rear and to all agencies," said Department of the Army civilian Quinton S. Burke, a systems administrator. "Keeping communications at a 95% operational level is our goal and we're meeting our goal."

"Without communications, you can't talk," he added.

Arriving on the ground just a couple days ago, the OCP2 has high hopes for this mission.

"When needs and requirements are met, we see the people returning to semi-normalcy and the fire containment is increased, we will have met success," Gonzales said. "We are prepared to stay out here as long as support is required."

"We are here to help out in every way we can," Howell said. "We want to make a difference."

• Date Taken: 10.29.2007
• Date Posted: 10.29.2007 15:19
• Story ID: 13427
• Location: MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, US