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 | Jan. 8, 2015

Indiana's 181st Intelligence Wing Airmen conduct no-notice disaster exercise

By Lt. Col. Frank Howard 181st Intelligence Wing

HULMAN FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ind. - Arctic weather and drifting snow blanket the Wabash Valley making outside activities and driving treacherous. Despite the bone-chilling weather conditions, Airmen from the 181st Intelligence Wing are routinely outside training to respond to winter storms and local disasters.

Airmen from the 181st IW conducted Operation Polar Plunge Tuesday and Wednesday to hone their ability to rapidly respond to severe weather conditions and disasters to provide long-range communications and incident assessment during times of disaster and severe weather conditions.

"Polar Plunge validated our rapid response, beyond-line-of-sight communications capabilities, and will act as a basis for our future disasters support packages," said Maj. Ryan Harvey, 181st IW.

Drill status Guard members, who train a weekend a month and two weeks a year, showed up to a no-notice exercise and within hours traveled by Humvee to two locations 50 miles from the base to establish long-range communications and data-link connectivity with the wing.

"My Airmen reported to the squadron from their civilian jobs and within hours of being briefed on the simulated disaster, identified the locations they needed to travel, established communications, took and sent back pictures and established a self-sustained response center for-follow on incident responders," Harvey said. "Not a bad day’s work before noon!"

"The dedication and sacrifice shown by every member of the wing is truly inspiring," said Col. Kip Clark, 181st IW commander. "My Racers are the first choice for the homeland and we will continue to train and increase our capabilities to assist our Hoosier neighbors."

"Our Airmen are highly educated, trained and skilled," Clark said. "They are dedicated to supporting community, state and nation whenever called upon."

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...