EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Soldiers and Airmen from the Illinois National Guard, along with state, federal, and local agencies, conducted a five-day homeland security training exercise in the St. Louis Metro East area in August.
The exercise, known as "Prairie Thunder," was the third and final exercise conducted this year that strategically positioned the Illinois Guard along side numerous outside agencies to test preparedness and their ability to respond to large-scale emergencies. Approximately 600 Soldiers and Airmen supported local first responders through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency during the exercise.
The mission kicked-off with a simulated railway explosion at the Triple Crown facility in Edwardsville. The mock explosion caused two railcars, one of anhydrous ammonia and the other of chlorine, to release a plume of hazardous gasses, resulting in the need for immediate evacuation of nearby towns. Volunteers acting as evacuees were provided shelter by the American Red Cross at the Liberty Middle School in Edwardsville.
"When a disaster occurs, we coordinate the rescue efforts," said Keith Chambers, State Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for IEMA. Chambers is also a lieutenant colonel in the Illinois Guard and understands the importance of this kind of training for both military and civilian agencies.
The second exercise scenario, a simulated terrorist attack, occurred at the Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill. A simulated explosion released a plume of cyanide gas and caused a nearby building to collapse. The mock attack tested the rescuers’ ability to recover "casualties" from the building. Rescuers also had to evacuate the grandstand due to the cloud of gas from the mock explosion.
The Illinois National Guard used this exercise to train for possible emergencies that may occur in Illinois. This training not only included Soldiers and Airmen performing their assigned military duties, but provided opportunity to train and interaction with civilian authorities which will allow them to respond and react effectively and efficiently in the event of an actual incident.
"We are here to train and make mistakes. When you are out there, you can’t afford to make them. That is why we train," said Spc. Chris Wilde, of the 933rd Military Police Company headquartered in Waukegan, Ill.
The Illinois Guardsmen and civilian agencies train in various parts of Illinois. The different training sites allow Soldiers, Airmen and civilian agencies to adapt to the different conditions throughout the state. Although the training is similar, each emergency is different.
"We are very fortunate in Illinois to have federal, state, and local agencies willing to work together to prepare for such an event. The training we receive in these types of exercises will equate to lives saved during a real event," said Maj. Gen. Randal Thomas, adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard.
"Prairie Thunder" was the culmination of three exercises, each which tested the skills of National Guard personnel and various civilian agencies. The previous exercise, conducted in May in the Chicagoland area also included mock explosions and the release of chemical agents. The series of exercises allows the Illinois Guard to train in different locations throughout the state, working with different local responders and emergency organizations to hone communication skills and techniques.
Working in a close environment with civilian agencies gave the Illinois Guard a unique opportunity to demonstrate their abilities on the field and throughout the chain of command, said Brig. Gen. Mark Stanich, the commander of the 404th Chemical Brigade. Stanich served as the Joint Task Force Commander for all three exercises conducted this year.
"Soldiers should feel extremely proud," said Stanich. "I have received compliments from civilian authorities and agencies in regards to the professionalism and expertise of the Soldiers."
Working through these different scenarios will allow the Illinois National Guard to support the war effort overseas and at the same time support the communities at home.
"Citizens of Illinois should have extreme pride in the soldiers, as well," said Stanich, "If something were to happen, they now have the knowledge that the Illinois National Guard is doing its best to protect them."