Air Force reservists collaborate with government, civilian partners during Cascadia Rising

PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES

06.12.2016

Story by Maj. Cathleen Snow 

920th Rescue Wing

CAMP RILEA, Ore. -- Reservists from the 304th Rescue Squadron and 305th Rescue Squadron worked alongside local, state, federal and civilian partners during a joint disaster response exercise here June 7-9.

The Cascadia Rising exercise was conducted at three Oregon locations -- Camp Rilea, Salem and Portland - and simulated a post-earthquake and tsunami environment with mass casualties in need of medical attention.

"It's all about people coming together and building those relationships, developing common terminology and common standard operating procedures to respond to whatever disaster," said Lt. Col. John Graver, 304th RQS commander.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Cascadia Subduction Zone fault spans 800 miles from northern California to southern British Columbia. The zone can produce earthquakes as large as magnitude 9.0 as well as corresponding tsunamis. Scientists have determined that a magnitude 8.0 to 9.0 earthquake occurs along the fault once every 200 to 500 years, and the last major earthquake and tsunami occurred in 1700.

FEMA called a potential 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami the "most complex disaster scenario that emergency management and public safety officials in the Pacific Northwest could face." The purpose of the Cascadia Rising exercise is to address that disaster and prepare first responders and medical personnel for the worst-case scenario.

Airmen from the 304th, based at Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, provided rescue, medical, logistics and intelligence support during the exercise. The 305th Airmen based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, provided aerial support with two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. Both Air Force Reserve squadrons are part of the 920th Rescue Wing headquartered at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.

The reservists worked alongside personnel from the Air and Army National Guard, Coast Guard, U.S. Northern Command, Portland Fire and Rescue, plus other civilian organizations and local, state and federal employees and volunteers. During various scenarios, the Airmen had to locate, rescue and provide medical care for simulated patients, including life-size mannequins and real people.

Graver oversaw pararescue operations during the exercise at the Portland and Camp Rilea locations. He said the 304th brought their "technical rescue expertise" to successfully accomplish their scenarios. Graver said each organization has its role, but they all need to work together toward a common goal.

“In the event of a natural disaster, we're going to have to come together," Graver said. "All these different organizations must work well together in order to all come together to accomplish the same goal: to save lives."

One of the other participating organizations, Portland Fire and Rescue, has been working alongside the 304th for several years. Lt. Rich Tyler, public information officer for Portland Fire and Rescue, said the relationship is important, especially during an emergency.

"These professional relationships are vitally important when working together to save lives and protect property," Tyler said. "By planning, working and exercising these relationships, we build the necessary rapport to efficiently solve the communities' crises."

Several 304th reservists over the last three decades have served as civilian firefighters at Portland Fire and Rescue, which has helped the relationship between the two organizations continually grow and flourish, Tyler said. Graver said he is proud that his Airmen have such strong community ties.

The 304th Rescue Squadron has been involved in this exercise, formerly called Operation Pathfinder Minuteman, for the past four years. Graver said each time they learn something new and get to know more partners in rescue, and this was another successful year for all parties involved. He said the 304th will continue to support this exercise to be as prepared as possible if and when disaster strikes.

"In the end, any kind of natural disaster is going to be chaotic," Graver said. "Instead of adding chaos to chaos, we're going to add order to chaos to do the right thing to help out the citizens."

• Date Taken: 06.12.2016
• Date Posted: 12.12.2016 12:43
• Story ID: 217337
• Location: PORTLAND, OR, US