MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING COMPLEX, Ind. – Despite the roaring heat, guardsmen from the 52nd Civil Support Team conducted chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance training at Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex, Ind., July 27.
The training was conducted inside the complex’s hospital as part of Vibrant Response 13, a multi-service and civilian combined training event happening at sites throughout Indiana and Kentucky.
The guardsmen honed their reconnaissance and CBRN detection skills using specialized equipment and wearing protective gear.
“We made entry to the building, we went through our processes, such as clearing rooms,” said Sgt. Adam Long, a CBRN specialist with the civil support team. “Our priorities are assessing casualties in the area…and continuing on with our survey.”
Sgt. 1st Class Alphonso Meriweather, also a CBRN specialist with the team, was responsible for monitoring for any chemical or radiological material, while Long reported the findings to their headquarters.
Capt. Jerry Ford, the teams survey section leader, is responsible for recon and sampling and can analyze information the team collects.
“My guys did very well out there today in the hospital,” said Ford, a Grant, Mich. native. “Even though it has been a long couple of days, my troops are still adapting to the changing mission and things are very up-beat here, morale is high.”
The heat of the day could not deter the team from getting the most out of their training. Breaks were taken to allow the guardsmen to cool down and get ready for their next mission.
“This training has been great. We get to do something that we don’t normally get to,” said Meriweather, a Cincinnati native.
The overall purpose of the training is to keep the American public as safe as possible during a CBRN event.
“Preparedness. Hopefully we would be able to prevent something of this magnitude from happening, but at the same time we have to be prepared for it,” said Long. “I think that’s the best thing to do in the long run.”