Photo By Spc. James Gaspar | Troops of the Joint Task Force 71 demonstrate their equipment assets and capabilities...... read more read more
AUSTIN, Texas - Each year, the American Heroes celebration brings out the finest Texas service members and citizens for a weekend of historical and contemporary demonstrations. Units and organizations from throughout the Texas Military Forces show off their capabilities and services for the annual Austin festival. One such outfit, the Joint Task Force 71, used the celebration as a means to highlight their joint and emergency response capabilities for the state.
Held August 16-17, the American Heroes event honors and celebrates past and present members of the Texas Military Forces. For JTF 71, also called the Minuteman brigade, this meant paying tribute to their Revolutionary War predecessors while demonstrating their modern resources.
Just like Abel Parker’s citizen soldiers of 1775, the JTF 71 brigade stands ready to deploy and react when the need for duty calls. Designated as the state’s emergency response element, the JTF 71 boasts several subordinate units equipped with training and tools to immediately react to state-wide incidents.
One such unit, the Civilian Support Team, arranged a large display at American Heroes showing off three of their trucks, including one that functions as a mobile laboratory. These trucks operate together to give operational assets to the commander. The 6th CST works with local authorities during emergencies to support command and control while engaging situations as they occur.
The CST communications truck has capabilities to talk to both civilian and military agencies and is also capable of working as a bridge to give the many departments involved the ability talk to each other. Often invited to events such as the Super Bowl and NASCAR, the 6th CST can operate as a preventive measure to keep the public safe by taking air samples and monitoring nuclear and chemical partials that may be present.
The soldiers of the CST are all full time National Guardsmen capable of arriving on site to an incident within one hour. Although they are soldiers, they don't wear the ACU uniform. Rather, they wear civilian clothes to help give a friendly face and promote cooperation while working with local emergency responders.
"It's all about perception," said Army Sgt. 1st Class William Gee, "It can make people nervous when the military is involved. Sometimes the fact the military is involved can give the wrong impression that we are there to take control. We are there to work with the local authorities."
The large display set out by the JTF 71 gave viewers an insight into how the brigade works together as a multi-organizational unit. With the CST headlining as first responders, the brigade also featured its comprehensive battalion supporting decontamination efforts, search and rescue operations and medical services following the immediate of the CST.
A civilian partner of JTF 71, Starflight also supported the event with a glimpse into how the Texas Military Forces works with local government and civil authorities.
"We provide medical transport," said Starflight pilot Kenny Thomson, speaking about how they have worked with the JTF before in training. As American Heroes continued its long-standing tradition of showcasing the resources of the Texas Military Forces, the JTF 71 shared its invaluable mission with the community and demonstrated for attendees what it takes to be a minuteman.
"It's so good to be able to get out to the people," said Capt. Jorge Pearson, deputy commander of CST, "and let them know there is some one out there ready to help them."
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.18.2011 18:49 |
| Story ID: | 68944 |
| Location: | AUSTIN, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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