Photo By Ann Fox | DNWS instructors Tech. Sgt. Luis Diaz and Capt. Andres Juarez observe Mexican marines...... read more read more
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By Matt Thompson and Brandon McDaniel
VERACRUZ, Mexico - The faculty of the Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS) recently completed their third and final training iteration at the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant in Veracruz, Mexico.
This unique security cooperation engagement, part of the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Humanitarian Assistance Program, was designed to better prepare the Mexican military to manage a 16-kilometer security and evacuation zone around the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant.
Working closely with USNORTHCOM’s Humanitarian Assistance Program and the Department of Health and Human Services, DNWS instructors and Department of Energy (DOE) personnel conducted three “train the trainer” exchanges with the Mexican response forces in February, March and April of 2013.
The interagency instructor team included radiological detection and decontamination instructors from the DOE and the DNWS: Dr. Steven Payne, Col. Joli Garcia, Capt. Andres Juarez, Capt. Oscar Sassarini, Tech. Sgt. Luis Diaz, Staff Sgt. William Coello-Sanchez, and Chris Dugger.
Several of the DNWS instructors were native Spanish speakers, greatly facilitating the training.
During each exchange, the instructor team worked with approximately 30 Mexican Marine officers and noncommissioned officers.
The instructors demonstrated radiological response techniques in accordance with the “Plan de Emergencia Radiologica Externo,” the Mexican government’s radiological response plan.
This effort to train and equip the Mexican response forces and enhance a regional radiological response capability was the result of a Mexican government request in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster.
In response to Mexico’s request, USNORTHCOM asked the DNWS to support USNORTHCOM’s Humanitarian Assistance Program in building partner capacity to respond to radiological incidents or accidents in Mexico.
The use of DNWS team’s expertise in developing and supporting this engagement ultimately saved the DOD more than $140,000.
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.08.2013 13:16 |
| Story ID: | 111579 |
| Location: | VERACRUZ, VERACRUZ, MX |
| Web Views: | 405 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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