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 | Aug. 1, 2022

Pennsylvania Guard Joins Dense Urban Terrain Exercise

By Brad Rhen, Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

PHILADELPHIA – Pennsylvania National Guard members joined numerous military and civil agencies for a large-scale Dense Urban Terrain exercise in Philadelphia.

The exercise was conducted by Task Force 46, a 600-personnel chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) response element comprising National Guard units from states across the country.

The July 25-29 exercise continued a series of planning and execution exercises to coordinate and rehearse emergency response actions in the event of a CBRN attack in a dense urban environment.

Other participating organizations included the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, the Philadelphia fire and police departments, and other local, county, state, federal, international (Canadian and British), academic and civilian partners.

Approximately 24 Soldiers using four aircraft from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade flew 11 missions with over 20 hours of flight time, including hoist training, patient transport and movement of search-and-rescue teams and senior leaders. They also stood up a tactical command post to manage all operations.

“The 28th ECAB greatly benefited from this training opportunity, and we stand more ready to support the commonwealth because of the lessons learned and iterations executed,” said Maj. Kandy Heekin, 28th ECAB operations officer.

Also participating in the exercise from the Pennsylvania National Guard were:

• Brig. Gen. Terrence Koudelka, director of the joint staff.

• Brig. Gen. James McCormack, assistant adjutant general, who observed training and participated in a senior leader forum on disaster response.

• Col. Frank Montgomery, director of military support.

The series of exercises began in 2018 and has become one of the nation’s premier all-hazard and homeland defense exercises to enhance interagency interoperability in the event of “America’s worst day.”

 

 

Related Articles
Lithuanian Command Sgt. Maj. Ruslanas Gulevas, senior enlisted leader of the Grand Duke Algirdas Infantry Battalion, Lithuanian Land Forces, left, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jason L. Barclay, senior enlisted advisor for 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, tour Fort Indiantown Gap as part of a bilateral engagement through the State Partnership Program, June 15, 2025. The two leaders, who served together during a joint mission in Afghanistan in 2011, reunited during a training event.
Enduring Brotherhood of Pennsylvania, Lithuania Partnership
By Sgt. Vail Forbeck, | June 17, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – More than a decade ago, amid the harsh conditions of Afghanistan, two Soldiers from different countries built a bond through shared sacrifice. The two Soldiers, one from the Pennsylvania National...

Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade crewed a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to assist the U.S. Coast Guard by transporting three buoys May 7 in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. During the winter, buoys are often displaced and washed up on beaches that are inaccessible to Coast Guard boats.
Pennsylvania Guard Aviation Partners with Coast Guard
By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig, | May 14, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade crewed a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to assist the U.S. Coast Guard by transporting three buoys May 7 in...

A total of 103 Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers and Airmen competed in the annual Governor's Twenty marksmanship competition May 9 to 10, 2025 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. They earn the right to wear the coveted Governor’s Twenty tab on the left shoulder of the uniform, is a state-level National Guard award that is presented every year and is reflected on a service members’ official personnel record. It is recognized by both the Army and Air Force. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig)
Pennsylvania Guard Competes in Governor’s Twenty Marksmanship Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig, | May 13, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – More than 100 Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers and Airmen competed in the annual Governor’s Twenty marksmanship competition here May 9-10.The event, in which 103 service members competed,...