The Maryland National Guard conducted non-lethal weapons training in April at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Md., in preparation for an upcoming security assistance mission at the Preakness Stakes.
Instructors from the 70th Regiment conducted a five-day Non-Lethal Individual Weapons Operators Course (NIWOC) for members of Maryland's National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) at the new Warrior Training Center at Camp Fretterd. Training focused on the rules of force and crowd control tactics including implementing non-lethal weapons such as the TASER X26 and Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper spray).
Due to the state's proximity to Washington and major ports, the Guard is taking steps to increase its NGRF preparedness through this type of training.
"[NIWOC] is the first state-level, non-lethal operators course of its kind in the National Guard," said Maj. Amy Bennett, Warrior Training Center officer-in-charge.
The NGRF will apply its new knowledge on May 17 as it supports the high profile Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel in the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing and is traditionally held the third Saturday in May. A record crowd of 121,263 attended the race in 2007, becoming the largest crowd to see a sporting event in Maryland history. As in years past, the Maryland Guard will provide additional security supporting local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
"The National Guard is in a unique role to respond to state and federal needs. Regardless of our status, the non-lethal weapons training will provide additional options to deal with tense situations," said Lt. Col. Adam Flasch, commander of the NGRF.
"The skills my Soldiers learned during this training will ensure that our citizens can rely on the National Guard to respond effectively to any emergency."
Each state and territory has a National Guard Reaction Force capable of responding in support of state and local requests. In Maryland, the assignment rotates annually among Army National Guard battalions. The NGRF may be augmented with other units to enhance capability based on the situation.