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 6, 2022

Washington Guard’s Civil Support Team Trains with Partners

By Joseph Siemandel, Joint Force Headquarters - Washington National Guard

BELLEVUE, Wash. – Following a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high yield explosive (CBRNE) event, seconds could mean the difference between life and death. That’s why readiness is critical for a National Guard civil response team.

“To me, a CST, their main job is to protect the public from a weapon of mass destruction,” said Carrie Poore, advanced CBRNE training branch chief with the U.S. Army. 

On June 15 and 16, members of the Washington National Guard’s 10th Civil Support Team trained with the FBI, the Bellevue Fire Department and the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center.

“This whole process, the repetitions, over and over again, of the whole team together is important. They need to be able to all perform their functions in order to be successful,” said Poore. “That isn’t just this CST, but all CSTs.”

For much of the past six years, the 10th CST has not had a chance to reset and rest, often going from training to supporting events or responses back to training. The endless cycle is a testament to the professionalism and work ethic of the members of the 10th CST.

“We have worked major events all across the country, multiple presidential inaugurations, large sporting events, parades, local festivals and fairs, supported the COVID-19 pandemic, all while also responding to life-threatening disasters with our first responder partners,” said Lt. Col. Wes Watson, commander of the 10th CST. “Like other units, this team has turnover, members move on to other great and wonderful things, so it is critical for us to make sure that we are keeping our new members up to speed and getting them trained for anything and everything.”

Members of the 10th CST know it is a matter of time before they get a call to support a mission.

“You have to practice how you play. If a real-world situation were to happen, we need to have practiced how we are going to mesh together,” said 1st Lt. Onyinyechukwu Okolie, science officer with the 10th CST. 

 

 

Related Articles
Members of the Mississippi National Guard's 47th Weapons of Mass Destruction - Civil Support Team process through a decontamination line June 14, 2023, in Wasilla, Alaska, as part of ORCA 2023. The exercise increased interoperability among a range of agencies, including the Alaska National Guard’s 103rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team, 12 National Guard units, eight local and state agencies, three federal organizations, and community partners.
Alaska National Guard Rapidly Deploys for Exercise ORCA 23
By Balinda O’Neal, | June 28, 2023
NOME, Alaska – About 530 miles northwest of Anchorage, two survey team members from the Alaska National Guard’s 103rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team monitor handheld detectors scanning for radiation and nerve,...

Members of the Michigan National Guard’s 51st Civil Support Team run through decontamination procedures during Northern Exposure 21, March 16, 2021, at Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Northern Exposure 21 was integrated with another exercise known as Rising Waters 2021. This year's scenario was catastrophic flooding leading to chemical contamination, which was followed by a possible WMD situation.
National Guard, partners to conduct ORCA 21 CBRNE exercise
By Alaska National Guard | May 14, 2021
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Hundreds of National Guard Civil Support Team units from 11 states will participate in Exercise ORCA 2021 in Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Seward with emergency responders...

Master Sgt. Shane Bedard, Headquarters, 141st Air Refueling Wing, Washington Air National Guard talks with members of the El Salvador military as they conduct tactical combat casualty care training from Feb. 22 – March 8, 2025.
Guard Members Instruct Life-Saving Skills in El Salvador
By Joseph Siemandel, | April 7, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Washington National Guard members have instructed Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Combat Medic training in El Salvador.They worked with the Defense Institute for Medical Operations on the training that...