MUSCATATUCK, Ind. –
Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS) provided mission command of the Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Response Force (DCRF) during exercise Vibrant Response 2019 (VR19). The Vibrant Response command post exercise (CPX) took place at Fort Custer, Mich., and the Michigan State Emergency Operations Center in Lansing. Phase 1 of Guardian Response 19 (GR19) was a field-training exercise linked to VR19 where about 3,500 federal personnel trained in aviation, medical, engineering, logistics, and other life-saving tasks at Muscatatuk Urban Training Center and Camp Atterbury in Indiana.
This exercise featured realistic venues and civilian role-players to simulate a demanding disaster environment under the guidance and direction of the task force commander. The annual GR19 helps participants of the VR19 exercise command and control in a realistic, challenging environment.
Soldiers from 181st Chemical Company (Hazard Response), Task Force Ops, JTF-CS, prepared role-players to process through a mass casualty decontamination line at Exercise Guardian Response at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, May 4, 2019.
When directed, JTF-CS provides command and control of the 5,200-person DCRF during a catastrophic crisis in support of civil authorities and the lead federal agency. Vibrant Response-Guardian Response is an annual, combined Command Post Exercise and Field Training Exercise which validates the ability of the DCRF forces to conduct the CBRN response mission.