Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Di Giovine | The South Carolina Army National Guard supports Charleston County first responders and...... read more read more
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Following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, law enforcement agencies in cities around our nation implemented new tactics and procedures to heighten vigilance and increase readiness. One component that became vital to responding was improving interagency coordination by conducting joint training, simulating a variety of potential threats.
Using a mock hostage and domestic terrorist scenario, South Carolina first responders in Charleston County and SWAT along with the South Carolina Army National Guard and members of the Cordell Airborne Rangers at The Citadel’s Army Reserve Officers Training Corps, conducted a response event at the Moncks Corner Armory in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, April 11, 2018.
“In today’s environment, it’s important for future military leaders to be exposed early on to joint operations and working with other agencies,” said Timothy Terese, retired Army veteran and Cordell advisor. “Responses for any domestic emergency are not handled by one entity. It’s partners and echelons above that come in when there is a terrorist or major threat event.”
Also supporting the exercise as a mock hostage was Judith Ranger Smith, the daughter of Cpt. Terry Cordell, an Army Special Forces officer who was killed during the Vietnam War in 1962 and to whom The Citadel's Cordell Airborne Ranger Club is named after to honor his legacy. Smith was 9 months old when Cordell’s helicopter was shot down in combat. She often volunteers to support the Corps of Cadets at The Citadel to give back to the school as her father was also the first casualty from the Citadel in Vietnam.
“It’s incredibly rewarding and inspiring to be a part of their training,” said Smith. “I learned from talking to my father’s former classmates he was a kind, smart, and charismatic leader. I see that in these men and women today at The Citadel.”
The exercise kicked off with two small groups of Cadets role playing as either hostages or terrorists. The mission was for the Cordell Rangers to support SWAT as a rapid Response Force and enter the Armory parking lot on two UH-60 Black Hawks and establish security outside of the Armory. The second lift from the Black Hawks brought in the Charleston County SWAT to clear the building, rescue the hostages, and detain or kill the terrorists. A third lift from the two Black Hawks brought in the last group of Cordell Rangers to fortify security and ensure all buildings in the vicinity were safe and clear of threats.
The pilots flying the two Black Hawks also said they benefitted from supporting the training mission, not just for joint air mission planning value, but also in giving back to help the Cadets. All four of the pilots were graduates from The Citadel and assigned to the South Carolina Army National Guard’s Aviation Brigade at McEntire Joint National Guard Base.
Flying the missions were 1st Lt. Michael Snyder, class of 2015, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Will Sirmon, Class of 2002, Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Keller, Class of 1985, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tyler Lorick, Class of 2011. The crews said they were very grateful for the support of the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade's administrative officer, Lt. Col. Ed Cloyd and the facility administrative officer at the Monck Corner Armory, Lt. Col. Mark McGee, for their support in preparing the facility for the exercise.
“Ten years ago, we never would have thought to do a mission like this,” said Sirmon. “But with today’s threats and current environment, it’s important to train with civilian agencies and get as much exposure to domestic operations as possible.”
At the conclusion of the event, once all of the mock hostages were rescued and placed in the protective care of the Charleston County Sheriff’s department, mock terrorists secured with SWAT at their Armored vehicle, and Cordell Rangers completed final clearing of the grounds, the Black Hawk pilots shook hands with Terese, commended the agencies on a great training event, and prepared to vacate the area.
“It’s nice to give back to our Alma Mater and help build the confidence of future military leaders,” said Sirmon. “Anytime we can support complex training, we jump on these missions.”
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2018 17:05 |
| Story ID: | 273427 |
| Location: | MONCKS CORNER, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 366 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Joint Military-Civilian Domestic Threat Response Training, by COL Cindi King, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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