Oklahoma Guardsmen take civil disturbance training

Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough | Guardsmen with 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team put on gas masks during a joint-training exercise with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) June 17, 2016 at Camp Gruber near Braggs, Oklahoma. The exercise is the culminating event following two days of intensive classroom training in constitutional law and riot-control tactics conducted by subject matter experts from the OHP’s Emergency Response Team. The goal is to train the Guardsmen to a nationally recognized standard, so that during times of unrest they can seamlessly integrate with responding agencies. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough/Released)  

CAMP GRUBER, OK, UNITED STATES

06.17.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough 

145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

CAMP GRUBER, Okla. – The National Guard motto, “Always Ready, Always There” means the Guard has to be ready for many contingencies that will likely never occur. One of those possibilities is a Ferguson, Missouri type-riot where local and state law enforcement personnel would not be enough to restore peace and protect property and lives.

Last week, more than 300 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen with 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) conducted a riot-control training exercise with members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) at Camp Gruber Training Center (CGTC) near Braggs, Oklahoma.

The culminating event Friday followed two days of intensive classroom training on riot-control tactics and legal issues taught by subject matter experts from the OHP’s Emergency Response Team. The goal is to train Guardsmen to a nationally recognized standard, so that during times of unrest they can seamlessly integrate with responding civilian agencies.

“Basically, we’re teaching them a class that’s taught around the country,” said Oklahoma Highway Patrolman Lieutenant Lance Schryer, of Owasso, Oklahoma, member of OHP’s Emergency Response Team and lead instructor for the training. “The hand signals, physical contact and formations are universal.”

The 179th conducted the exercise as part of the training requirements for their status as the Oklahoma National Guard’s Ready Force (NGRF), which can deal with issues such as tornadoes, floods, disasters and riots. The training and preparedness of the NGRF is a major priority for the Guard and an important force for ensuring the safety of all Oklahomans.

“Camp Gruber provides an excellent environment with all the training tools we need to simulate pretty much anything,” said Lt. Col. Colby Wyatt of Cherokee, Oklahoma, commander of 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment. “Whether it be our federal mission as an infantry battalion or our state mission as the NGRF.”

As OHP Troopers guided Soldiers conducting the exercise on the ground, leaders from both OHP and the IBCT observed the training from atop a building at Camp Gruber’s urban training facility known as “Liberty Village”. The vantage point from above not only offered a clear view of the exercise, but also looks over the many facilities the training center has to offer.

“As a squad leader, I find it a very important role due to the fact that I’m a command and control element in an environment that is out of control,” said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Parker of Mcloud, Oklahoma, 1st platoon squad leader in Alpha Company. “It is my responsibility to maintain order on the line so that we can maintain safety on the line.”

Those going through the training were also taught about the importance of not infringing on constitutionally-protected rights. Schryer, who teaches courses around the country, stressed to Guardsmen the significance of understanding the role each (constitutional) amendment plays in both a citizen's right to protest and the response allowable by law to prevent chaotic riots.

“This is what makes this country what it is,” Schryer said. “People can go out and protest if they want to, but there’s a manner they have to do that in. We talk about the restrictions the government can place on that as far as time, place and manner of when and how they can protest.”

Schryer also stated the importance of keeping up with the training yearly to help the Guard maintain their readiness.

• Date Taken: 06.17.2016
• Date Posted: 06.21.2016 10:48
• Story ID: 201687
• Location: CAMP GRUBER, OK, US
• Hometown: CHEROKEE, OK, US
• Hometown: MCLOUD, OK, US
• Hometown: OWASSO, OK, US