Photo By Sgt. Dustin B. Smith | Utah Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Orion Cowles, a crew chief assigned to Detachment...... read more read more
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Salt Lake City - Members of the Utah Army National Guard and Civil Air Patrol participated in a flight exercise, focused on capturing imagery of critical infrastructure and key resources across the Salt Lake Valley as a part of Exercise Red Iguana, August 22, 2026.
This exercise specifically focused on earthquake disaster response in Salt Lake County. Aerial imagery was used to collect information on specific points of interest for this year's Incident Awareness and Assessment (IAA), and will be used to help improve planning and response efforts in future natural disasters.
”We would need information quickly to support both local responders and the Utah National Guard commander’s decision making,” said Lt. Col. Deborah Gatrell, deputy intelligence director with the Utah National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. “We focused on the transportation, medical, water, and hazardous material community lifelines in the Federal Emergency Management Agency framework for our collection priorities.”
In the aftermath of an earthquake, the ability of first responders to quickly reach those in need can make all the difference. Utilizing UH-72 Lakota helicopters from Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment (Security and Support) UTNG, and a Cessna 182 Turbo aircraft from the Civil Air Patrol, the exercise captured aerial imagery that can help responders assess conditions and respond quickly and effectively. The exercise also provided an opportunity for both organizations to strengthen training, improve communication and build the relationships necessary to work together during real-world emergencies.
“You develop a professional relationship that serves well into the future,” said Lt. Col. Steve Holmes, chief of staff, Utah Wing Civil Air Patrol. “The more we understand each other and the more that we work together, we get better at how we communicate, how we transfer information, and just how we can share resources.”
The Civil Air Patrol adds valuable capabilities to national disaster response, with Cessna aircraft specifically modified for search and rescue, and reconnaissance, and Skydio X10D a small unmanned aircraft system used for search and rescue and aerial photography. Civil Air Patrol members emphasized that they enjoy working with the Utah National Guard, and welcome any opportunity to serve the community and fill whatever gaps may exist to help accomplish the mission.
“We don’t want to be the best kept secret,” said Holmes.“We want people to know what we do and that we can assist.”
By bringing together the resources of both organizations, the exercise gave leaders a clearer picture of what could be used during a real-world emergency.
“Information drives operations, so we are using this exercise to gather information on capabilities from CAP manned and unmanned airframes as well as UTNG manned and unmanned airframes to inform our solutions,” said Lt Col Gatrell. ”We are positioned to support decision-makers in an Incident Awareness and Assessment scenario for both military and civilian incident commanders.”
Exercises like this are more than training, they are an opportunity to build relationships, strengthen communication and be better prepared to help communities. When disaster strikes every second matters. Training is imperative and working together now means responders can be ready when it is time to act.
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2026 16:49 |
| Story ID: | 573349 |
| Location: | UTAH, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Exercise Red Iguana Strengthens Utah’s Disaster Response Through Joint Aerial Assessment, by SPC Jessica Pena, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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