Guard preparedness on display during disaster drill

Photo By Sgt. Alan Prince | Michigan National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 460th Chemical Company check their air supply prior to practicing hazard response in a simulated chemical attack at Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds April 30, 2019 as part of Northern Exposure 19. NE 19 is a simulated nuclear detonation exercise which will provide realistic training to prepare MING units to integrate with civilian partners and respond to natural or man-made catastrophic events. (MI National Guard photo by Spc. Alan Prince /released.)  

LANSING, MI, UNITED STATES

04.29.2019

Story by Capt. Joe Legros 

126th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

EXERCISE---EXERCISE---EXERCISE

LANSING, Mich. – Northern Exposure 2019 is a simulated exercise which provides rigorous and realistic training to prepare Michigan National Guard units to integrate with civilian partners and respond to catastrophic events.

The exercise takes place April 29 to May 3, at three venues throughout the state with two hazard sites located in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties and one command post exercise in Lansing. In a coordinated response, service members work in support of Michigan State Police and other emergency partner agencies..

“The training gives our Soldiers some hands-on experience working with other emergency personnel,” says Sgt. 1st Class Brandy Bailey-Hobbs, 460th Chemical Company’s readiness noncommissioned officer. “We train with our equipment on a regular basis, but coordinating with other hazard responders enhances our efforts and makes us more efficient.”

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Hundreds of hired role players support this training with venues featuring smoke, noise and simulated casualties in need of decontamination and medical triage. Additionally, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel find and eliminate simulated improvised nuclear devices.
Along with EOD, guardsmen will establish security perimeters for civilian safety and conduct reconnaissance (recon) of the hazard site. Recon is necessary whenever hazardous material needs to be identified.

"The 460th Chemical Company is comprised of two Dismounted Recon Platoons and one Mounted (Stryker) Recon Platoon,” says 2nd Lt. Georgie Juday, Platoon Leader of the Mounted Recon Platoon. “We are able to provide presumptive identification of any chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) agents or substances, assessment of the current and projected consequences, advisement on response measures and sample collection".

Prior to identifying the hazardous material, Soldiers operate from inside the confines of their strykers, allowing them to work and breathe safely while traveling within a contaminated environment. Once samples are collected, the unit advises responders about the hazard, as well as any safety precautions necessary to include the type of personal protective equipment (PPE).

While no one wants to see Soldiers in PPE during an actual CBRN event, it is reassuring that our force is protective, partnered and prepared to respond should the need arise.

Media is encouraged to visit the two hazard locations; however, the command post exercise in Lansing is open to participating service members only. Personnel will be available for interview purposes and special access may be granted by request.

For more information on this week-long event, please contact Capt. Joe Legros at 616-5026079 or [e-mail]. Media access badges can be picked up at the venues after checking in with a designated Michigan National Guard Public Affairs member.
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• Date Taken: 04.29.2019
• Date Posted: 04.30.2019 15:14
• Story ID: 319936
• Location: LANSING, MI, US
• Hometown: BATTLE CREEK, MI, US
• Hometown: KALAMAZOO, MI, US
• Hometown: LANSING, MI, US
• Hometown: ST. JOSEPH, MI, US