Photo By Master Sgt. Mike Smith | Army Master Sgt. Ken Lonowski, right and Sgt. 1st Class Derek Whisenhunt, left, brief...... read more read more
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DES MOINES, Iowa — The Guard is not in charge in a disaster response, but it's always ready and always there to help when the call arises, said the Nebraska Guard's top enlisted Soldier here on June 19 during a multistate disaster exercise.
State Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Burch from the Nebraska Army National Guard was at exercise Vigilant Guard Iowa here today, where a large number of his state's Guardmembers were training with the Iowa Guard and civilian and governmental agencies.
"Joint exercises like this are critical toward developing the U.S. Northern Command relationships that need to be developed so that we can respond to any domestic issues, be it a natural disaster or defense of the homeland," said Burch.
Nebraska's Guard Soldiers and Airmen from the 72nd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (CST); Chemical Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package; Joint CONUS Communications Support Environment and other units traveled to Iowa for Vigilant Guard.
The exercise included domestic terrorism with a mock train derailment and the simulated release of toxic chemicals. There were also hundreds of fictional injured and dead role players at the exercise site.
Burch walked around the area, which was surrounded by civilian and military emergency response vehicles, tents, fire hoses and other equipment.
"It's critical that we are able to work, not only amongst the military entities here, but work with the civilian and governmental agencies that are crucial to such operations," he said.
The eight-day exercise is designed to enhance the interaction of local, state, federal and military responders to perform roles and responsibilities related to homeland defense and military support to civil authorities.
Burch said the NCOs in his state's first-response units are key coordinators during a disaster because they communicate face-to-face with civilian agencies in a response.
Burch visited with the Nebraska CST's NCOs who were surveying and analyzing the disaster site and advising civilian responders on the presence of weapons of mass destruction.
"Our Civil Support Team NCOs are instrumental in developing an interaction with civilian organizations," said Burch. "They have to establish relationships with the local government and the first responders."
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2009 16:28 |
| Story ID: | 35404 |
| Location: | DES MOINES, US |
| Web Views: | 265 |
| Downloads: | 227 |
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