Combined training brings forces together

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ange Desinor | Soldiers from 1440th Fire Fighting Team, National Guard out of Camp Grayling, Mich., and firefighters from Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Benning, Ga. and Fort Jackson S.C., participated in a joint exercise here, during Vibrant Response 14, Aug. 3, in order to increase their overall technical knowledge as well as prepare for any future combined operations that may take place.The Soldiers and firefighters come from a variety of locations and backgrounds, but come together to demonstrate their capabilities and cross-train on each others' equipment. Vibrant response is a major filed exercise conducted by U.S. Northern Command and led by U.S. Army North. Approximately 5,000 service members and civilians from the military and other federal and state agencies throughout the country are training to respond to a disastrous domestic incident.  

MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING CENTER, INDIANA, UNITED STATES

08.04.2014

Story by Sgt. Ange Desinor  

13th Public Affairs Detachment

MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING CENTER, Indiana- Soldiers and firefighters participated in a joint exercise here, during Vibrant Response 14, Aug. 3, in order to increase their overall technical knowledge as well as prepare for any future combined operations that may take place.

The Soldiers and firefighters come from a variety of locations and backgrounds, but come together to demonstrate their capabilities and cross-train on each others' equipment.

Their mission scenario was to use their equipment to breach through a collapsed building in search of notional injured personnel, said Sgt. 1st Class Lon Axtell, with 1440th Fire Fighting Team, National Guard out of Camp Grayling, Mich.

The civilian firefighters are used to working alongside their military counterparts. They all work on military bases like Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Benning, Ga. and Fort Jackson S.C.

For some firefighters, this isn't their first time working in support of the VR exercise.

“This is my third time training here,” said Captain Jacob Geer, a firefighter out of Fort Knox Fire Department.

Geer added that the training here is one of the best training he's ever done. He also said that the firefighters are working to combine a team to create an Installation Management Command Atlantic team specifically for training missions. This team would focus on preparation for disasters of any nature.

“I find it so encouraging to see fire departments from three different states working together seamlessly in an all hazards environment,” said John Ryan, a residence of Augusta, Ga., who's here during the exercise focusing on real world safety. “It proves to me that the Department of Defense, fire and emergency services are recruiting and hiring the right people. They are training and equipping them to respond to current real world hazards. When called upon they will be ready to serve, not just locally but regionally and nationally as needed.”

Vibrant response is a major filed exercise conducted by U.S. Northern Command and led by U.S. Army North. Approximately 5,000 service members and civilians from the military and other federal and state agencies throughout the country are training to respond to a disastrous domestic incident.

• Date Taken: 08.04.2014
• Date Posted: 08.04.2014 12:46
• Story ID: 138230
• Location: MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING CENTER, INDIANA, US
• Hometown: FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US
• Hometown: FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US
• Hometown: FORT MOORE, GEORGIA, US