PATRIOT 21 is underway at Volk Field

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Wendy Kuhn | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sadonta Cole, a firefighter with the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Ark., trains using various methods to cut metal with a torch at the REACT Center during PATRIOT 21 at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Wis., June 13, 2021. PATRIOT 21 is an annual, accredited Joint National Training Capability exercise that provides a simulated natural disaster environment for units to test their response and capabilities to conduct domestic operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Wendy Kuhn)  

VOLK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WI, UNITED STATES

06.15.2021

Story by Staff Sgt. Wendy Kuhn 

121st Air Refueling Wing

VOLK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Wis. – Approximately 1,000 personnel from federal, state, local and private entities are coming together for PATRIOT 21, a Domestic Operations (DOMOPS) training exercise sponsored by the National Guard Bureau at Fort McCoy, Wis. and Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wis., from June 14 – 17, 2021.

PATRIOT is an annual exercise that focuses on joint coordination of local, state, federal, and private sector organizations working together in response to a natural or man-made emergency. Additionally, it will test the combined entities' abilities to respond and gain relevant, realistic and innovative training for natural disasters using simulated emergency scenarios such as earthquake response, creating collapsed buildings, impeded roads, mass casualties and the need for search and rescue.

“It's been more than a year that we've been in a pandemic and we've also had civil disturbance and natural disasters along the way and we've been in response mode,” said Lt. Col. Roger Brooks IV, PATRIOT 21 Director. “But we're getting back to the business of training for those situations now. It's all about training with our local civilian agencies and partners and improving our communication and ability to work seamlessly with different entities.”
Participants in the exercise include National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and Naval Reserve Sailors in various career fields from 26 states, the Wisconsin Emergency Management agency, Nebraska State Patrol, the Salvation Army, Team Rubicon, Mississippi Task Force Urban Search and Rescue, Verizon, FirstNet, JPS Interoperability Solutions and Atlantic Dive Supply.
“I don't think we can do this enough. This actually prepares service members and our civilian partners to respond to these situations both domestically, as in the case of a pandemic or an earthquake, or overseas in a war fight. I think we are making multi-capable Airmen and Soldiers who can plug their skill sets into any situation,” said Brooks.

• Date Taken: 06.15.2021
• Date Posted: 06.15.2021 10:09
• Story ID: 398944
• Location: VOLK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WI, US