JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS) and Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Response Force (DCRF) command and staff held a staff academics conference at the command’s headquarters, Jan. 6-8.
The event was held to reinforce doctrinal knowledge and ensure command personnel and DCRF task force planners are well-versed prior to Exercise Sudden Response 2020 (SR20). During the academics, command and staff focused on major movements and addressed friction points during phase two, or the deployment phase, and phase three, or the operation phase, of a CBRN response.
The staff academics were organized and led by the JTF-CS training division, and was held in support of SR20, a week-long exercise that tests and sustains JTF-CS procedures and collaborative efforts in response to the initial phases of a simulated manmade or natural disaster.
“The intent of the SR20 staff academics was to refresh long-time command staff members and ensure our newer staff and enablers are cognizant of background knowledge and up-to-date on the evolution of command processes necessary to create a cohesive team as we enter our exercise season,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Brian Hatch, JTF-CS Training Division Chief. “Conducting academics such as these also enhances JTF-CS readiness and agility to respond to real-world events.”
The conference consisted of JTF-CS and DCRF personnel being briefed on topics such as deployment locations and movements, and task force organization and unit capabilities, as well as included break-out discussions that included topics such as operational sustainment and training on the command’s online collaboration tools.
The brief also included training on the new JTF-CS Strategic Employability Expectation Tool (JStrEET) application, which is used to track, forecast and display inbound DCRF units entering the joint operation area using real-time, recurring inputs from the unit commanders and their designees.
“The staff academics are a great tool for new and seasoned JTF-CS and DCRF personnel to learn about the latest and greatest exercise tactics, techniques and procedures,” said Jasmin Mau, a JTF-CS watch officer and a staff academics attendee. “It also provides DCRF liaison non-commissioned officers an understanding of what’s expected of them as functioning elements within the joint operation center. If everyone is on the same page, working symbiotically, we can accomplish tasking necessary to fulfill our mission, which is to save lives.”
At the direction of U.S. Army North and U.S. Northern Command, JTF-CS provides military assistance in support of civil authorities by saving lives, preventing further injury and providing temporary critical support to enable community recovery.