Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 NEWS
 ARNORTH tests Nevada Guard CST By Sgt. Joshua Ford
                U.S. Army North PAO
 LAS VEGAS - U.S. Army North's Team B, West Division, Civil Support Training Activity, evaluated the Soldiers and Airmen of the Nevada National Guard's 92nd Civil Support Team during a certification exercise Feb. 10 at the National Guard Readiness Center in Las Vegas. CSTs, such as the 92nd, are designed to assess hazards, advise civil authorities, and facilitate military support during emergencies and incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. During the exercise, the 92nd CST was tasked with responding to a training scenario in which two men created a harmful biological agent and attempted to use it to contaminate food and water sources. "We try to make the exercise as real as possible," said Phillip Barnes, an operations analyst with Team B.
During this exercise, the team used aerosol cans to simulate devices used to spray biological agents. The evaluation exercise tested the Soldiers and Airmen on 12 collective tasks that include more than 450 sub-tasks. Tasks included setting up a worksite to evaluate any harmful biological or chemical threats found in a mobile laboratory. "Making sure that we don't grow complacent is the driving force behind this," said Maj. David Sellen, 92nd CST commander. "We can't afford to be complacent - especially when it comes to homeland defense." Rich Murphy, a contracted role player and assistant fire chief in Florida, played the situation commander, representing a unified command under local, state and federal authorities, to provide more realism to the training. "This allows law enforcement agencies and civil support teams to manage their own assets while key decisions are made collectively by local, state and federal officials," said Murphy. Additionally, a representative from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Las Vegas office played his role as the FBI's representative. "Every time we go out to one of these exercises, we learn something," said Brett Handy, FBI weapons of mass destruction coordinator. "It's a great opportunity to increase our understanding of the different agencies." Evaluation exercises not only certify the CSTs, they also provide the CSTs, local, state and federal responders a good understanding of what each agency does in the event of a disaster or attack. "Once you get in and do the networking, you prove that you are competent in your ability and, more importantly, you show you aren't a threat to another agency's environment," said Sellen. "You show that you're actually there to support and, with that, you take away that 'Hollywood' stereotype that the military is coming to take over when it's the exact opposite." The training and evaluation process proved essential for the 92nd CST when it had to react to a real world situation. In 2008, Nevada first responders requested the 92nd CST's assistance when the highly toxic chemical Ricin was discovered in a Las Vegas motel. The team also assisted in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. "This is an experienced group," said David Brown, Team B operations analyst and observer/controller. "During the exercise, (the 92nd CST) concisely made the effort. That's what we look for. They met all the tasks to standard. They're a good team and did an outstanding job." "ARNORTH has a vested interest in making sure we are trained; but at the same time, it is a reality check," said Sellen. "They aren't going to tell us things that are good and pat us on the back. They are going to tell us where we stand, good or bad."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Chaplains Address Guard Soldiers’ Spiritual, Mental Health
 By Staff Sgt. Daisy Broker,
  Wisconsin Guard Black Hawk Unit Conducts Mass Casualty Exercise
 By Vaughn Larson,
  NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco
 By Avery Schneider,
  More
 Wisconsin Guard Black Hawk Unit Conducts Mass Casualty Exercise Guard News • 20 hours ago
 NC Guard Unit Tests NextGen Squad Weapons Guard News • yesterday
 Georgia 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Conducts Annual Training Guard News • yesterday
 Former Colorado TAG Retires as Air National Guard Director Guard News • yesterday
 Idaho National Guard Opens Child Care Center Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (184)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil