SC National Guard conducts disaster relief training at Ardent Sentry

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Erica Jaros | U.S. Army medics Spc. Thomas Floyd and Sgt. Bambi Ratcliff, assigned to the 351st Aviation Support Battalion, South Carolina Army National Guard, help carry a mock casualty during a point of distribution exercise in support of Ardent Sentry, May 19, 2013 in Ridgeland, S.C. The S.C. National Guard is participating in a major North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command training exercise that involves a scenario of a hurricane striking the South Carolina coast, requiring more than 1,500 members of the S.C. National Guard to practice disaster response activities and coordination procedures. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Erica Knight/Released)  

RIDGELAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

05.19.2013

Story by Sgt. Erica Jaros 

108th Public Affairs Detachment

RIDGELAND, S.C.— During Ardent Sentry May 17-21, the S. C. National Guard units rehearsed and tested their emergency operations procedures to ensure the capabilities and resources of the Guard can be utilized to the fullest by state and local authorities. One of the critical functions Guard members may be requested to execute after a disaster is providing a point of distribution for essential items to the public. The 351st Aviation Support Battalion took on the mission of setting up a POD to test their procedures May 19.

"This is a level three POD, the lowest category. We can service about 5000 people per day or 140 drivers per hour," said Staff Sgt. Eugene Lyles, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the POD exercise from A Company, 351st ASB. "We service the general population with food, water and other items. We also have an aid station and an ambulance on site."

The scenario involved people trying to find food and medical attention following a simulated hurricane striking the southeast coast of S.C. The role-players acting as displaced civilians portrayed behaviors from calm to hysterical to violent.

"People would be hungry. They want to feed their family. They get rowdy; we could have riots or vehicle accidents," said Lyles.
Evaluators during the training exercise critiqued multiple scenarios. Some included significant medical cases testing the reaction of the medics; while others involved a group of people rushing the distribution area testing the security force response.

"We learned a lot and found places to improve," said Lyles. "The guys worked really hard. They love getting out, and in the field is the best I've seen them."

• Date Taken: 05.19.2013
• Date Posted: 05.19.2013 22:58
• Story ID: 107211
• Location: RIDGELAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, US