FORT LEWIS, Wa. – The 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade (1AD, CAB) from Fort Bliss, Texas, is demonstrating its capabilities in aerial rescue operations during Sudden Response (SR) 18 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, January 23 to 30.
The 1AD, CAB is part of Joint Task Force Civil Support’s (JTF-CS) Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Response Force (DCRF). The unit is participating in a JTF-CS annual command post exercise 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 brigade flies Sikorsky HH-60M Black Hawks with medical evacuation and search and rescue capabilities; Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawks for transporting people and supplies; and Boeing CH-47 Chinooks for heavy lift of personnel and supplies.
When ordered by U.S. Northern Command, JTF-CS mobilizes and assembles the DCRF. This 5,200-person group of responders is comprised of specialists and experts in varying support roles, including medical, aviation and chemical decontamination dedicated to saving lives, preventing further injury, and providing temporary critical support.