An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 19, 2019

National Guard units from six states join Alaska in exercise

By Pvt. Grace Nechanicky 134th Public Affairs Detachment

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The Alaska National Guard’s 103rd Civil Support Team participated in exercise ORCA 2019 at various training locations in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, in partnership with multiple local emergency responders and other Guard CST units from July 15-17.

“The goal of the ORCA exercise is to strengthen relationships between local first responders, Civil Support Teams from other states, and the 103rd CST.” This training environment is to prepare us in the event of a real-world or human-made disaster,” said Lt. Col. Mortrud, commander of the 103rd CST.

This year’s ORCA training events were conducted at the Alaska State Fairgrounds, Palmer Fire and Rescue Training Center, Fire Station 6-2 in Wasilla, and the Alaska Railroad rail crossing at Pittman Road.

“The scenarios simulated in the exercise are numerous CBRN laboratory setups, along with the processing of intelligence to determine intended uses and locations for possible attacks,” said Mortrud. “They help ensure the response community not only trusts each other but also understand the capabilities each entity will bring to a real-world event.”

CSTs were established to deploy rapidly to assist a local incident commander in determining the nature and extent of a CBRN attack or incident; provide expert technical advice on CBRN response operations, and help identify and support the arrival of follow-on state and federal military response assets.

More than 200 military and civilian personnel were involved in ORCA 2019, including about 120 National Guardsmen from the seven states involved. CST units from Mississippi, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii and Washington joined Alaska’s CST, and the Alaska National Guard aviation battalion, as well as the Joint Operations Center, participated.

Participating local agencies included Mat-Su Emergency Management, Mat-Su Emergency Medical Services and Hazardous Materials, Anchorage Police Department, Wasilla Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Houston Fire Department, Palmer Fire Department, Alaska Railroad, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management also supported the exercise.

ORCA is a biannual exercise that began in 2013.

“I believe these exercises are not only beneficial but crucial to the success of the Alaska response community,” said Mortrud. “This exercise allows us the opportunity to train with the different local responders and other states CST’s, building relationships that will enhance our response to local events.”

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...