Photo By Maj. Michael Sullivan | Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command...... read more read more
SALINA, Kan. - Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, visited the Great Plains Joint Training Center in Salina, Kansas, to observe training at Vigilant Guard 2014, Aug. 4, 2014.
Vigilant Guard is a large-scale, multi-state disaster response exercise sponsored by USNORTHCOM and the National Guard Bureau with a goal of testing the capabilities of emergency response agencies at all levels of government, both military and civilian.
Jacoby said exercises like Vigilant Guard are important to all involved because these types of scenarios are complicated and involve lots of components.
“To be able to come together and get to know each other and learn what each organization brings to the table is critical,” said Jacoby. “Exercises and training equals preparedness [which] equals readiness for the defense support for civil authorities.”
More than 2,000 local, state and federal personnel are taking part over the course of the exercise. The exercise is taking place at several locations in the state, including Crisis City, Fort Riley, Overland Park, Salina, Topeka, Wichita and Smoky Hill Weapons Range outside of Salina.
After being briefed and visiting with Soldiers and Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force Santa Fe, Jacoby was able to observe and interact with first responders and volunteer role players who were participating in a collapsed structure venue and the subsequent hazmat response at Crisis City. JTF Santa Fe is comprised of service members from the Kansas National Guard 35th Infantry Division and 190th Air Refueling Wing.
“I loved what I saw out here,” said Jacoby. “I saw lots of units from different places working with first responders. For USNORTHCOM, we spend a big part of our training budget to support Vigilant Guard exercises. For me to see the value that comes from each one of those dollars like this encourages me and makes me feel like we have the right priorities. It is terrific. My hat is off to the Kansas leadership for sponsoring this.”
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2014 15:43 |
| Story ID: | 138370 |
| Location: | SALINA, KS, US |
| Hometown: | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US |
| Hometown: | INMAN, KS, US |
| Hometown: | SALINA, KS, US |
| Hometown: | TOPEKA, KS, US |
| Hometown: | WICHITA, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 430 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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