CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. – Teams from the Minnesota National Guard Joint Operations Center (JOC) conducted an exercise last week at the Camp Ripley Training Center as part of the U.S. Army NORTHCOM Joint Operations Center Training Course (JOC-TC).
The capstone scenario of the exercise, held April 8-10, challenged participants to demonstrate lessons learned from the previous day’s instruction and apply them to real-world situations in a demanding, complex and fast-paced environment.
“The goal and benefit of this exercise is to develop a better understanding throughout the JOC staff regarding their roles while networking with other partners,” said Army Col. Daniel O’Meara, Domestic Operations Chief with the Minnesota National Guard Joint Operations Center. “This allowed us to evaluate capabilities and limitations while operating in real-world domestic operations scenario.”
The JOC’s primary purpose is to provide continuous situational awareness to senior leaders during a domestic operation. That is done by monitoring, collecting and analyzing data to develop and update a common operational picture, which allows leaders to make informed decisions. The team in the JOC facilitates communication, planning and coordination among different branches of the military. Often with the National Guard, that facilitiation is done with civilian agencies and partners during joint operations in the state. The National Guard partners with civilian authorities in emergencies to help with physical security, logistical support, and search and rescue if needed.
“There are different procedural steps and languages between the different agencies,” O’Meara said. “The exercise enabled us to work through challenges and determine how we could operate together in various scenarios.”
The primary part of the exercise began with a simulated shift change that involved the previous team monitoring a developing severe winter storm. This storm eventually produced multiple explained and unexplained power outages, road closures and hazards that would impact civilians. The scenario escalated, with several counties declaring a state of emergency on top of a possible domestic terrorist threat.
“Our goal is always to come in and have the state pick up one or two critical things they didn’t have before, and we achieved that,” said Army Maj. Russel Bouillion, NORTHCOM Mobile Training Team Chief. “The biggest element is if the Minnesota National Guard found this beneficial and can use this training to improve upon their procedures. That is the success of our mission.”
The training, which was put on through the team from NORTHCOM, incorporated JOC specific operations and policies from all 54 states and territories to educate using standard doctrine. The exercise tested specific processes in an operations center responding to the scenario in Minnesota. Response to annual natural challenges such as winter weather or floods is common for the Minnesota JOC, but the addition of secondary hazards tested communications, logistics and ready response across the state.
“We follow doctrine, but every state faces unique challenges and adjusts necessary procedures in order to fit their needs,” Bouillion said.
The event culminated with a briefing to the exercise commander, which simulated an update brief to the adjutant general or other state leaders. Section leaders gave a briefing on the data collected and actions taken to best respond to the various situations. The briefing included information about personnel, intelligence, operations and logistics. The teams within the JOC demonstrated cross-communication, gathered critical information, and presented their achievements during the scenario.
“NORTHCOM’s exercise was an excellent opportunity to help both seasoned and new personnel with the JOC understand our different roles and how to conduct domestic operations in the state of Minnesota,” O’Meara said.