Ready to respond

Story and photos by Pfc. Yancy Mendoza
Video by Pfc. William Franco Espinosa
69th Public Affairs Detachment

July 21, 2022

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – Cal Guard’s 9th Civil Support Team conducted a training exercise July 14 at their home station on Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, as part of preparation for an evaluation coming in March.

The simulated hazmat event covered different methods of response to various threats that may call the 9th CST to action.

“We are a hazmat team, a specialized team, dedicated to any kind of chemical, biological, nuclear or radiation response. ” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Noonan, commander of the team.

Team members U.S. Army Sgt. Tiffany Zumaya and Sgt. Thomas Brown suited up and responded to a situation where an unknown chemical substance was found in a school, threatening the lives of students and faculty.

Upon entering the building, they discovered a white powder substance next to discarded disposable masks and gloves, along with a small unknown mechanical device under a nearby desk in a backpack. The two quickly assessed the situation and successfully identified the substance, all the while having to keep an eye on their oxygen levels in their suits.

“Good learning, good training. That's what it is, to see what we fall short on and what we can improve to fix it," said Zumaya "We talked to our observers, our trainers and they gave us feedback. We had lessons learned for sure.”

The pair were evaluated by the Civil Support Training Activity U.S. Army North. Alpha Team Chief Phillippe Kebreau from the CSTA Army North had high praise for the 9th CST. 

“I think it's critical for the public to know that they have a really confident team within Southern California that is prepared to assist local responders, and that fully understand local protocols,” he said.

The 9th Civil Support Team, established in 1999, is one of 57 teams across the United States ready to support civil authorities in the event of the use or threat of a weapon of mass destruction. The team's purpose is to raise domestic security and response capability to terrorist involving weapons of mass destruction by assisting local authorities, FBI or any other organizations.