National Guard Civil Support Teams, partner agencies conduct Exe
Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Markham, reconnaissance noncommissioned officer in charge, 10th Civil Support Team, Washington National Guard, inspects a bus for dangerous and illicit substance production at the Mat-Su Fire Training Center in Wasilla, Alaska, May 19, during Exercise ORCA 2021. 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 Edward Eagerton)