Photo By Lt. Col. Cory Angell | Pennsylvania National Guard troops work to treat simulated causalities in the Homeland...... read more read more
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Pennsylvania National Guard units are ready to assume the FEMA Region III Homeland Response Force mission following a year of preparation and a week-long external evaluation exercise at Fort Indiantown Gap.
The three-year mission will provide regional chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear response assets intended to mitigate suffering and loss of life following an environmental, accidental or terrorist disaster event.
The 55th Armor Brigade Combat Team, based in Scranton, is the command and control element of the Homeland Response Force. Other elements of the force are composed of Army and Air National Guard units based in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Allentown, Kingston, Middletown, Willow Grove, Coraopolis and State College.
Soldiers and airmen conducted realistic training including search and rescue, decontamination, and medical treatment. If mobilized, they would be working alongside firefighters, police and other emergency responders, providing additional manpower and expertise.
These units will officially assume the mission following final approval through the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Northern Command. The units will be prepared to deploy within 18 hours to disasters in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C.
Video of the Homeland Response Force is available at http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/55HBCT.
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2014 09:02 |
| Story ID: | 140264 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 224 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Pennsylvania National Guard unit prepared for unique disaster response mission, by LTC Keith Hickox, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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