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DES MOINES, Iowa - While Vigilant Guard 2009 featured many local, state, and federal agencies, a group of international observers were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the exercise.
Ideas were exchanged, but for many the take-away message would be: Don't exchange business cards at the scene of the accident; get to know to your neighbors before a disaster strikes, and getting to know your neighbors is one reason for the international contingent.
"A while back we participated in a conference in Osaka, Japan, and visited Japan's Homeland Defense Forces," said Brig. Gen. Bob Felderman, deputy director plans, policy and strategy for U.S. Northern Command. "Japan and Korea are among our focus nations that we provide equipment and training to, so as these relationships grew, we decided we wanted to arrange an opportunity for them to come visit the U.S. and see our operations and many more are to apply the scenario at Vigilant Guard in their own country."
And many were able to apply the scenarios of Vigilant Guard to their home country.
"We have similar environmental and agricultural backgrounds," said Col. Chang Kwoun Park from Seoul, South Korea. "We also had avian flu problems. It is very important to see how problems and disasters are handled, to exchange information and it is a wonderful opportunity."
Others took away different facets of the training.
"We don't have tornadoes, but we do have typhoons. So the coordination is very important; public relations and education are key to building trust for the real risks we face," said Yasuaki Hashimoto of the National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo.
The observer tour consisted of a background briefing into the history of Vigilant Guard and a visit to the State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Dodge, Iowa, where they had an opportunity to witness first-hand the cooperation and coordination between civilian agencies and the National Guard.
The tour concluded with a visit to where a simulated train derailment led to 166 civilians being "injured" and civilian agencies and military forces responding and treating the victims.
First responders, decontamination units, local police and fire departments were all involved.
The exercise left an impression on many of the observers.
"The planning and resources that went into Vigilant Guard is amazing," said Col. Urbano Fernandez, Mexican air force operations officer, who added that in Mexico the civilian authorities rely heavily on the military for these types of operations so the military is forced to always react.
He was pleased with the National Guard's approach that supports local authorities instead of the federal agencies bearing the burden.
"Supporting civil authorities allow us to maintain a positive image with the public. In working these exercises it's apparent we are part of the country, we are part of the people, we are part of the communities we serve," Fernandez said.
The planning for Vigilant Guard 2009 has ended, but the relationship building is continuing to ensure that in future exercises and disasters it won't be the first time we exchange business cards with our neighbors.
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2009 14:37 |
| Story ID: | 35485 |
| Location: | DES MOINES, US |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 117 |
This work, International observers get a firsthand look at Vigilant Guard 2009, by MAJ Jamie Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
