FORT McCOY, Wis. — Military and civilians don't work together often, but Soldiers gathered in Wisconsin for a statewide emergency simulation were looking forward to being the exception.

Chemical units participating in Exercise Red Dragon spent June 14 testing their decontamination equipment in preparation for drills throughout southern Wisconsin in conjunction with civilian authorities. With more than 2,300 Soldiers participating this year, it is the largest operation of its kind in the nation.

"This is the kind of training we need to make ourselves better," said Spc. Nancy Jaimis, a chemical operations specialist with the 370th Chemical Company in Fort Worth, Texas.

Capt. Adam G. Ramkema, commander of the 355th Chemical Company out of Las Vegas, stressed the value of working with the public, since the military could be called to aid the civilian community during a crisis.

"The mission has changed from war fighting to responding to homeland defense," said Ramkema. "The new mission is to support the people who do it every day: firefighters and law enforcement. We work alongside them to be the tip of the spear of homeland defense."

The exercise was designed to prepare the participants for responding to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks.

"We work hand-in-hand with the civilian medical teams," said 1st Lt. Joshua G. Jeremiah, commander of the 370th CM Company "We are a piece of equipment they acquire to help fulfill the mission."

The Soldiers are able to respond to any of the hazardous material contaminations, regardless if they are the result of human actions or nature.

"It could be a terrorist attack or a train wreck that causes a chemical spill," said Ramkema.

The process to protect the public from these hazards can be straightforward, but intimidating. Decontamination tents have two sides. Casualties who are seriously injured or cannot walk are sent through one side by military personnel, while the rest are sent through the other side.

The mobile decontamination units are transported in large trailers, making it easy for units to respond when they are needed. The June 14 training allowed Soldiers to practice unloading and setting up the mobile sites as if they were preparing for a real incident.

First Lt. Marcelus L. Chambers, a platoon leader and acting task force commander for the 379th Chemical Company out of Chicago, said his Soldiers have a great deal of satisfaction in their job proficiency.

"They pride themselves on being subject matter experts," he said. "They do it one weekend a month proficiently and can only get better. They go to intense schools for dealing with hazardous materials, and also bring their civilian skills with them."

Throughout exercise Red Dragon 2009, Soldiers were able to test their skills and learn from other units' different techniques.

Sgt. Joseph Vu, a team leader and chemical operations specialist with the 379th CM Company who assisted Chambers' detail of troop and equipment decontamination preparation at Fort McCoy, Sunday, said the company would work closely with other chemical companies to learn and educate.

"Different companies are learning from us; we're learning from them and integrating to work together to see how we can help them with the mission," he said.

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