Massachusetts National Guard Civil Support Team Enters Vigilant Guard

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone | Sgt. James Wunders and Sgt. Casey Harris, medics from the 466th Area Medical Support Company transfer one of four simulated wounded personnel from a ground evacuation vehicle to a UH-60 Air Ambulance Helicopter flown by the 249th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) at Fireman's Park Nov. 3 as part of the Vigilant Guard exercise. The wounded personnel evacuated were found at a simulated "rubble pile" nearby as a result of a collapsed hospital caused a simulated earthquake near the Buffalo area. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone, 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade)  

LOCKPORT, UNITED STATES

11.03.2009

Courtesy Story

New York National Guard

LOCKPORT, N.Y. - Exercise Vigilant Guard, simulating a major earthquake in the Niagara Falls region of New York, entered day 3 Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the Massachusetts National Guard's 1st Civil Support Team training here, while New York Army National Guard air ambulance helicopters and medics simulated evacuating casualties from a destroyed hospital to Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in North Tonawanda.

Meanwhile, members of New York Air National Security Squadrons deployed to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport to simulate assisting civil authorities in keeping order in a post-disaster environment. While federal law prohibits Active Duty troops from conducting police duties without a declaration of martial law, National Guard forces can always assist local police at the direction of the governor.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2009
• Date Posted: 11.03.2009 18:35
• Story ID: 41043
• Location: LOCKPORT, US