BEAUFORT, S.C. - Staff Sgt. Doyse Manz knows something about responding to a disaster.
The Kansas Air National Guard surgical technician was part of the National Guard team that responded to Greensburg, Kan., after a deadly tornado struck there in May 2007. She's also served on a medical team in Iraq. So the Topeka resident understands the value of being ready for the next disaster.
"Something like the Greensburg tornado could easily happen again, so we need to be ready to go," Manz said.
Manz and other members of the Topeka-based 190th Medical Group from the Kansas Air National Guard are working in Beaufort County, S.C. this week, creating and staffing a 6-bed field hospital as part of an Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) team during Vigilant Guard 2008, one of the largest disaster response training exercises in the history of the National Guard. More than 3,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are working in the Beaufort County area for the April 21-24 Vigilant Guard, responding to a simulated earthquake centered in Beaufort. The exercise provides an opportunity for local, state and federal agencies to work together with the National Guard to respond to the emergency.
"While the National Guard can bring tremendous technology and equipment to support a community in response to a disaster, our most important asset is our people," said Brig. Gen. Les Eisner, deputy adjutant general for Army in South Carolina and commander of troops for Vigilant Guard 2008. "I'm proud of the professionalism being displayed by the Soldiers and Airmen participating in this exercise."
Manz joined the Kansas Air National Guard about five years ago, with a goal of being able to serve in the medical field.
"The Guard has allowed me to do that and gain a lot of experiences I wouldn't have had in the civilian world," she said.
Working at Vigilant Guard helps keep her and her fellow medical professionals sharp and ready to answer America's call in times of need.
"You need a refresher, you have to keep up on all these things," she said. "You can never be too prepared."