FORT BRAGG, NC. –
A 25-person Mobile Training Team (MTT) conducted an introduction to response operations conference for more than 100 Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) commanders and their support staffs Nov. 14-17 at Ft. Bragg, N.C.
The Joint Task Force - Civil Support MTT is helping DCRF forces prepare to assume mission operations in 2018. Many of the forces are attached to the 18th Airborne Corps. DCRF forces are aligned in Task Force Aviation, Task Force Operations, Task Force Logistics, Task Force Medical, and supporting forces. JTF-CS, located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Newport News, Virginia, anticipates, plans, and prepares for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) response operations.
The event started with opening remarks from Maj. Gen. Richard Gallant, commander, JTF-CS.
“This mission is all about relationships,” said Gallant. “You are the cutting edge of the Department of Defense. You will be the force that works alongside our interagency partners to help the American people.”
The MTT covered multiple topics including insight to the full range of JTF-CS operations as they relate to the DCRF mission, incidents and circumstances of a nuclear detonation, medical readiness, laws concerning the Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) mission and various other topics that the DCRF must know before going on mission.
“We need active, engaged and dedicated personnel involved in this mission,” said Gallant. “We are thrilled to have you on mission, but we expect you to be ready to answer the call at all times.”
The team discussed the 2-year plan for the DCRF. Discussions covered training, requirements and DCRF responsibilities for 2018. Attendees received a brief of the JTF-CS operational phases and their role during each phase of deployment and how they will operate during a catastrophic incident.
“Everything revolves around time,” said Stan Bacon, deputy director future plans and effects, JTF-CS. “This is why we exist as a command and response force; to respond and save lives. Phase zero is our most important phase. We owe it to our DCRF to train them and make them the most capable force possible.”
Jeff Theall, communications specialist, JTF-CS talked about interoperability with interagency partners during a CBRN incident.
“All of us are using different equipment for the same mission,” said Theall. “We have to be able to communicate with each other and reach common ground to help America on its worst day.”
The 78th Training Division and 75th Training Command provided added support to the MTT and briefed the oncoming DCRF about the real-world and training impacts they will face while on mission with JTF-CS.
“This planning process is key to the mission we have been assigned,” said Col. Eric Oh, director of operations, JTF-CS. “Without interacting with each unit, we would never be able to be there when our country needs us most.”
During the final day of the exercise, the oncoming DCRF commanders conducted an internal training scenario, using the information they just learned, to respond to a notional CBRN incident.
JTF-CS provides command and control for designated Department of Defense specialized response forces to assist local, state, federal and tribal partners in saving lives, preventing further injury, and providing critical support to enable community recovery.