Counter Terrorism Operations Support 

(CTOS) Overview

Counter Terrorism Operations Support

Mission:

Our mission is to develop and deliver the most realistic and highest quality training in support of 

homeland security and the global war on terrorism using the unique assets of the Nevada Test Site and 

our extensive radiological expertise.

Background:

The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) NTS is a member of 

the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC). NTS develops and conducts training courses for 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Preparedness Directorate (NPD) Training 

Exercise Integration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection 

Office (DNDO). Its continuing role is to provide expertise and training to the state and local emergency 

response community. This partnership of several nationally recognized public universities, the DHS, and 

NNSA are bound together into a single, well-coordinated and fully integrated training program of the 

highest caliber.

Operations:

The Counter Terrorism Operations Support (CTOS) Program at the NTS develops and delivers the training 

for emergency first responders. This training prepares the responders to take immediate, decisive action to 

prevent or mitigate terrorist use of radiological or nuclear weapons of mass destruction (WMD), such as 

Improvised Nuclear Devices (INDs) and Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDDs or “dirty bombs”). Training 

courses and exercises conducted at the NTS, municipality-hosted locations, and online, provide state and 

local first responders with the tools they need to protect their communities from these threats. The courses 

include:

◊ WMD Radiological/Nuclear Awareness (AWR-140 and AWR-140-W)

◊ WMD Radiological/Nuclear Awareness Train-the-Trainer (AWR-140-1)

◊ WMD Radiological/Nuclear Responder Operations (PER-240)

◊ WMD Radiological/Nuclear Course for Hazardous Material Technicians (PER-241)

◊ Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) (PER-243)

◊ Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) Train-the-Trainer (PER-243-1)

◊ Secondary Screener Radiation Isotope Identifier Device (PER-245 SS/RIID)

◊ Primary Screener Backpack Basic Course (PSBB)

This program trains approximately 10,000 first responders per year.

Nevada Test Site:

The NTS is a massive outdoor laboratory and 

national experimental center originally 

established for nuclear weapons testing. There 

are 1,375 square miles of secluded and secure 

land with guarded boundaries and security 

areas. Located 65 miles northwest of Las 

Vegas, the NTS is isolated from population 

centers and provides a safe environment to 

conduct training using realistic scenarios.

Responders measure real radiation and contamination levels at the scene 

of a simulated terrorist attack
1. Ground Zero of Nuclear Detonations

2. RDD Downtown

3. RDD at Airport

4. RDD at Rail Station

5. Rail Station/Classroom

6. Industrial Site/Clandestine Lab

7. Attacks on Transport Vehicles

8. Airliner Debris Field

9. Attendee Staging Area

10. Contaminated Restaurant and

Strip Mall

11. Residences/Safe-houses

12. Railroad Tunnel 

13. Crashed/Damaged Vehicles

Actual Radioactive Material:

With the exception of awareness-level and online courses, all courses are “live agent,” using radioactive 

material. These courses are designed and monitored so attendees receive only minor radiation dosages (lower 

than a chest X-ray or a typical round-trip airline flight across the U.S.); however, radiation levels are sufficient 

to practice techniques needed in a real incident involving much higher levels. Each attendee operates and 

employs radiation detection and measurement instruments throughout the course. Attendees practice with 

radioactive material in the classroom, and during drills and exercise scenarios. The NTS exercise areas can be 

configured in thousands of square feet at elevated radiation levels. 

Radiological/Nuclear WMD Incident Exercise Site:

The Radiological/Nuclear WMD Incident Exercise Site at the NTS was constructed after 9/11/2001 at the T-1 Site, 

located at the ground zero of four nuclear detonations conducted between 1952 and1957. The radioactive material 

remaining in the ground from the nuclear detonations produces safe radiation levels throughout the ten-acre 

exercise area, with higher than normal background radiation levels. Attendees train in an area with simulated 

widespread radiological contamination from an RDD or IND, without the risks of contaminating themselves. 

Additional radioactive material is also employed at each scenario site.

Capabilities:

The NTS infrastructure is an essential element in a global network of key locations used on the war against 

terrorism for training, test and evaluation, and demonstrations of specialized technologies. Training the nation's 

first responders in a realistic, operational environment prior to facing a real world WMD event is essential where 

minutes and actions are critical. 

Layout of the Radiological/Nuclear WMD Incident Exercise Site (T-1 Site)

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For More Information, Contact the Registration Desk at:

National Nuclear Security Administration/Nevada Site Office

Counter Terrorism Operations Support Program

P.O. Box 98521, M/S NLV126, Las Vegas, NV 89193-8521

702.295.3224 • 702.537.2639 Fax

E-mail: ctosreg@nv.doe.gov

www.ctosnnsa.org

DOE/NV--1252-REV1.3

September 2009