MCCORMICK, S.C. – While many South Carolina citizens are taking advantage of the summer-time weather by swimming, fishing or taking vacations, the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the S.C. National Guard conducted annual training, June 4-18, to increase their readiness and to ensure the safety of those whom they stand ready to protect.

During Palmetto Response, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Consequence Management Response Force training exercise, soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company 218th MEB, along with other units and soldiers from across the MEB, arrived at Fort Stewart, Ga. June 4 to begin their training.

While soldiers were at Fort Stewart, initial missions included setting up their Tactical Operations Center, which is made up of one large and several smaller Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter tents.

“We’ve done a lot of training in setting up the TOC,” said Sgt. Maj. Rick Turner, S-3 Operations sergeant major, “and we’re very good at that. What we want is for our soldiers to learn about TOC integration and the processes on how the TOC works.”

Soldiers also went to the range for weapons qualifications with the M16 5.56mm rifle and the M9 9mm pistol to complete their annual qualifications.

To keep soldiers nourished, food service specialists from HHC, 218th MEB and the 251st Area Support Medical Company provided two hot meals using both Mobile Kitchen Containers and kitchens in buildings.

Medics from the 251st ASMC, HHC 218th MEB, gave a basic combat lifesaver class to the mechanics and support personnel assigned to the 251st ASMC in addition to their own training and provided daily medical support to fellow soldiers while at Fort Stewart.

“We are teaching the basics steps that could help a soldier save their buddy’s life,” said Sgt. Sherry Sulton, a medic with the 251st ASMC. “They will get good hands-on training to learn how to assist until medics arrive.”

The first two lessons covered the most serious injuries - stopping hemorrhaging and clearing a blocked airway.

“We changed to a focus on bleeding first because someone can bleed-out in less than two minutes,” said Sulton.

The class also covered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to fill out a casualty evaluation card. This card is important so that when medics arrive, they can see what injuries have been identified and treatment given.

After completing the initial training phase at Fort Stewart, a new mission came down which required soldiers to pack up and move out to Clarks Hill Training Site, near McCormick. In the initial stages of the scenario, soldiers responded to the detonation of a nuclear device, and their mission changed to a supportive role working with local authorities.

“There is a big difference between how we operate in a field environment and how we operate when assisting civilian authorities,” said Turner.

The 218th brings with them a wide range of experience and skills gained from their military training and civilian occupations because they have military police, engineers and chemical Soldiers in their ranks.

“I think it’s important for our soldiers to understand what the MEB can bring to an incident,” said Turner. “We have soldiers who can act as liaisons between us and the civilian authorities. We are able to be a great asset because of that.”

The South Carolina National Guard’s mission during any emergency is to support the local police, emergency medical services and other city and state agencies.

“Without cooperation from the community we couldn’t do what we do,” said Col. Waymon B. Storey, commander of the 218th MEB.
Before the exercise began, the 218th MEB command staff met with key leaders from civilian authorities to conduct a fly-over of the training sites prior to the start of the Palmetto Response exercise.
To review the guard’s support capabilities, leaders took a break from the flight to meet with the Brigade Support Battalion command at the Barnwell airport.

“They can move product on the road in mass to support (McCormick authorities),” said Storey. “They can produce potable water to push out to the city. Without them, I could not sustain operations and (McCormick authorities) could not sustain operations.”

The BSB can provide the assets to move large quantities of food, water and fuel. Additionally, they track those assets and support personnel vehicles by satellite.

Once the exercise was underway in McCormick, soldiers from the 4th Battalion of the 118th Infantry, 218th MEB, were on the streets every day conducting wellness checks and assisting the victims of the nuclear fall out scenario. They responded to simulated angry mobs, gas line explosions, and people in need of food and water.

Working in conjunction with local authorities provides realistic and valuable training to both the first responders and soldiers of the 218th MEB.

“We’ve had a great working relationship,” said Dominique Baldwin, a McCormick County emergency medical technician. “If we continue to train as a unilateral group, I see a lot more cohesiveness between the two groups. We know what you expect, and you know what we expect. Then, we can just meld together and make it all work.”

Civilian emergency medical service technicians were vital during wellness checks in order to transport critically injured patients to decontamination areas. Soldiers were also directing and transporting people to the decontamination lines to be evacuated.
At the decontamination lines, the 108th Chemical Company took the lead. Soldiers assembled decontamination areas every morning in preparation to receive anyone in need of assistance. They led people through the decontamination showers, carried the injured, and kept people calm throughout an uneasy process.

After the civilian victims arrived at the clean area, they were treated by medical personnel of the 251st ASMC and visited by the chaplain.
“This exercise has really been an eye-opener for myself and my crew,” said Baldwin. “It’s been real close to a real-life scenario.”
Continuing this type of training ensures that the South Carolina National Guard and civilian authorities are ready and able to take on any emergency that may arise, so South Carolina citizens can continue to enjoy summer fun.

Sgt. Brad Mincey was a contributing writer.