Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Meillettis Gardner | Spc. Brian Tiesi, team leader, 272nd Military Police Company, 519 Military Police...... read more read more
FORT POLK, La. – Soldiers in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, arrive at the moterpool here on July 20, ready to don their kevlar and reflective vests for prepare unit vehicles for Camp Atterbury Ind., for training exercise Vibrant Response 13.
The 1st MEB is training at Camp Atterbury for Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Response Force mission with Joint Task Force - Civil Support (JTF-CS).
JTF- CS is a joint operation comprised of active duty, Reserve, National Guard and civilian members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines Corps and combined contractor elements. As of October 2011, 1st MEB has been tasked with the DCRF mission.
“‘This mission is all about America and Americans,” said Col. Bret Van Camp, 1st MEB commander. “For me that’s what it's all about, helping them recover (from a catastrophic event).”
The 1st MEB has many advantages to offer the DCRF mission. The brigade has three battalions and each takes on a different supporting role during the response effort.
There are five areas the 46th Engineer Battalion focus on, said 1st Lt. John Sims, executive officer, 178th engineer company: trench rescues, confined space operations, rope rescue, structural collapse, (VMR) vehicle machinery rescue.
“We are the only type II Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) team that can operate in a chemical environment while operating in a structural collapse rescue,” said Sims.
The mission is one aspect of DCRF, but there are also elements within the brigade that focus on the homefront and taking care of those who are saving and sustaining lives.
“We play an important role,” said Capt. Freddy Rios, officer in charge of operations of the 88th Brigade Support Battalion. “Without us, the brigade cannot go anywhere because we’re the ones that get you out of the door.”
Element from company A, and B, 546th Maintenance Company, deploy to different notification areas, to ensure all the equipment and personnel from the brigade have support such as maintenance, water and fuel.
The 88th BSB also assumes the rear detachment duties and supports all families of deployed soldiers, said Rios.
The 519th Military Police Battalion brings a different skill set to the mission.
Our battalion conducts medical support and sustainment operations,” said Spc. Brian Tiesi, team leader, 272nd MP Company, 519th MP BN.
“I think it’s great that we’re helping out our people, and they can see the other side of the Army instead of them seeing us go to war all the time,” said Sgt. Christian McCreary, team leader, 272nd MP Co.
Not only is the 1st MEB taking care of civilians in the field but safety remains a top priority for the soldiers in this multifunctional unit.
We have a designated (non commissioned officer) who covers safety, said Horton, not only for equipment but also any kind of environment we’re working in, whether it’s radiological or chemical, which is tracked by the safety NCO.
Of the 1st MEB mission, Van Camp said it’s all about the needs of the American people.
“If we get called, its going to be bad. Making every day better has to be our No. 1 mission.”
| Date Taken: | 07.20.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2012 00:12 |
| Story ID: | 92964 |
| Location: | LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 274 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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