National Guard Civil Support Teams, partner agencies conduct Exe
A member of the 82nd Civil Support Team from the South Dakota National Guard passes by a simulated lab while conducting initial assessment of the incident location in Seward, Alaska, May 18, in support of Exercise ORCA 21. ORCA is a chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear threats response exercise designed for participants to provide support in the aftermath of hazardous materials incidents. ORCA tests interoperability between agencies, increases opportunities for working relationships, and practices requests for assistance methods. Approximately 250 National Guardsmen from CST units in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Idaho, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin are in Alaska to participate in Exercise ORCA 2021. Numerous support units and civilian agencies participated in the exercise as well. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)