Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Paratroopers train to evacuate American citizens during conflicts

    Paratroopers traing for evacuation of American citizens

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Hewitt | Paratroopers assigned to 108th Military Police Company, 503rd MP Battalion,16th MP...... read more read more

    FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

    07.01.2016

    Story by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt 

    3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

    FORT BRAGG, N.C., -- In the fictional country of Atropia, the people recently lost their president to an unexpected death. The president`s son takes control and rejects elections and amends constitutions. Rebellious students and other citizens form the South Atropian Peoples Army (SAPA) – a group seeking to transform Atropia and force their own beliefs upon the population.

    The violent activities of SAPA become more frequent and friendly Atropian forces are in need of assistance, the U.S. places SAPA under international sanctions. SAPA begins to threaten the U.S. Embassy and its officials. The enemy has now indicated its threat to acquire chemical materials in order enable maximum terror among the local and foreign populace.

    The time has come to evacuate and bring any and all American citizens home. The global response force deploys to assist in non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) and secure the U.S. Embassy.

    This was the simulated scenario included during the joint operational access exercise conducted by Soldiers assigned to and in support of 3rd Brigade Combat Team 82nd Airborne Division; the 16th Military Police Brigade, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, and representatives from the U.S. State Department, June 22, at Holland Drop Zone.

    Using the scenario the Soldiers and role-players were given, those participating in the training reacted accordingly.

    Staff Sgt. Shayne Stokes, a Paratrooper assigned to 108th MP Company, 503rd MP Battalion (Airborne), 16th MP Bde. says our job as military police is to consolidate, extract and protect the American citizens in order to remove them from whatever country they are in. We then brought them to the evacuation control center; where they will be briefed, searched and processed for travel to a safe haven and in the event of an actual NEO, eventually back to the United States.

    In charge of the NEOs is the ambassador, serving as the U.S. president representative and authority he is directly responsible for the safe evacuation of American citizens.

    Supporting the operations are three main components for a military based initiative: The State Department, Department of Defense and usually a swift insertion force involving temporary occupation and a planned withdraw.

    Allyn Brooks-LaSure, a public diplomatic officer from the State Department says in the past it has been Marines conducting these missions. Today we are here to support and observe the Department of the Army execute and train to prepare for these scenarios.

    Capt. Bill Seskey, a Paratrooper assigned to 3rd BCT, as a civil affairs planner says it`s important for us to be trained and ready to conduct these types of operations. The brigade will eventually be the global response force and possibly be called upon to conduct these operations.

    As the day continued during the training exercise, Paratroopers established security, processed role-players and eventually executing the steps required in order to be successful during the training.

    “The biggest takeaways for the leaders in this brigade during the exercise is understanding 3rd brigade`s role with partnered government agencies, said Seskey.

    According to Seskey, we absolutely need to have the ability to evacuate your own people and safeguard American people abroad, if not then it could hinder our ability as a nation to establish relations with other countries and conduct foreign policy.

    “This is not a hollow exercise. The mission that this unit is performing has real world implications and can be the difference between life and death for American citizens,” said Brooks-LaSure. “We have no greater responsibility than protecting and advancing U.S. personnel and interest abroad. If there is a situation where there is political instability, American citizens can call upon us. This exercise reinforces our capabilities to work jointly and extend this service to American in need.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.01.2016
    Date Posted: 07.01.2016 16:09
    Story ID: 203014
    Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US

    Web Views: 243
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN