FORT EUSTIS, Va. – Undaunted by the snowy weather, members of Joint Task Force Civil Support are completing preparations for a deployment to Exercise Sudden Response (SR) 18 At Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, January 23 to 30.
The command post exercise in Washington allows JTF-CS members to demonstrate capabilities in response to a simulated nuclear detonation in the U.S. SR 18 tests JTF-CS procedures and collaborative efforts in response to the initial phases of a simulated man-made or natural disaster. The command anticipates, plans and prepares for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) response operations.
The J-4 Logistics Directorate is a major player in the effort, responsible for validating load plans for all of the equipment moving to JBLM for the exercise. Additionally the J-4 Directorate ensures the coordination of logistic requirements to include (transportation, movement, billeting, and feeding).
“This is a great opportunity for us to perform and perfect our logistics support plan,” said Army COL Andrea McCollum, Director of Logistics.” “Training allows us to work with partner agencies and our enablers, with an overarching goal to ensure we maintain our readiness for our directed mission.”
More than 150 JTF-CS members will deploy and conduct training operations with units assigned to the 5,000-plus member Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF). The DCRF is a scalable response force ready to deploy within 24 hours to support local, state, tribal and federal agencies in the event of a large-scale CBRN incident. It’s comprised of units from across the country and, unlike other military units that prepare for operations overseas, the DCRF is focused solely on the homeland.
“We have conducted sustainment training on orders writing and managing the flow of DCRF units into the response area,” said Mr. Tim Collins, deputy director of Logistics. “Our responsibilities at SR 18 will also include working with strategic logistics enablers, such as the Defense Logistics Agency and the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, to manage all parts of our movement.”
Additional information about JTF-CS and the capabilities of the DCRF can be found here: http://www.jtfcs.northcom.mil/.