NATIONAL GUARD PREPARES FOR THE UNTHINKABLE

By Capt. Bryce A. Fisher, USAF, HQ Washington Air Guard, Posted June 2008

 

FT. LEWIS, Washington – 297 members of the Washington National Guard mobilized to participate in a portion of a National Level Exercise, here. In this scenario, the region was hit with a triple play of catastrophes. The entire scenario includes a terrorist attack in downtown Seattle, a release of toxic chemicals in Oregon and a detonation of a chemical truck in Whatcom County.

The scenario was part of a national level exercise to train multiple agencies to respond effectively to large scale disasters. “Simulations such as these allow us to exercise the unique capabilities of the Air and Army Guard in responding to the needs of our state, said Brigadier General Gary Magonigle, Joint Task Force Commander – Washington. “Working together in a joint environment is critical to the success of our response,” added Magonigle.

The simulated attack hypothetically occurred Thursday afternoon and that portion of the exercise continued through Sunday. 176 Members of the Army Guard’s 420th Chemical Battalion and Air Guard’s141st Air Refueling Wing and 256th Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS), under the command of Army Lieutenant Colonel Bill Martin, trained search and rescue extraction, personnel decontamination and treatment for mass casualties. According to Sergeant 1st Class Michael Brown, exercises such as these “gives us an opportunity to take a simulation exercise to flex real world decontamination drills, emergency response reporting and search and extraction skills.”

Speed of response is the key to success of this mission. According to 2nd Lieutenant Carl Knoblich, typical times to don chemical suits range from 10-15 minutes, however that time can be reduced to as little as 3 minutes if absolutely necessary. One key to this unit succeeding monitoring the times and conditions the unit members are in the suits, as they are air tight. Although the weather cooperated, the work to rest cycle was monitored so as to limit the possibility of dehydration and fatigue.

The 256 CBCS provided “combat communications” capabilities to the men and women treating the simulated victims. This package of people and equipment provides mobile telephone service, internet, video teleconference and global broadcast system to the Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and Explosive – Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP). MSgt Aaron Kelm says “we help the chemical teams do their jobs better by allowing them to communicate better.” According to Kelm, they have the technology to provide communication capabilities within 2 hours and the technology to allow radio devices operating on different systems to communicate with each other.

In situations such as these, the National Guard would be activated by the order of the Governor’s Office and would provide support to the civil authorities. In the simulation, Guard units from other states would have been requested to provide technical support and additional manpower.

Supervising the exercise was US Army North Command under the command of Lt. Gen. Thomas Turner. Also, monitoring the exercise was Lt. Gen H. Steven Blum, Chief, National Guard Bureau and other General Officers and from the National Guard.