Civil support troops heading to Alaska

Cal Guard among states sending teams to ORCA 21 exercise

by Alaska National Guard Public Affairs

May 14, 2021

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Hundreds of National Guard Civil Support Team members from California and ten other states will participate in Exercise ORCA 2021 in Alaska with emergency responders and other Guard units.

During the May 17-21 exercise, participants will respond to hazardous materials scenarios, test interoperability between agencies and strengthen working relationships.

This year’s ORCA is unprecedented in terms of the number of CST units participating. Training will occur at the Mat-Su Fire Training Facility, Anchorage Fire Training Facility, University of Alaska-Anchorage campus, Port of Alaska Anchorage, Port of Seward, and the Alaska Railroad in Seward.

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter will respond to a situation requiring a landing zone at a parking lot in Seward.

Participating local agencies and organizations include the Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Matanuska-Susitna Emergency Management, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Major Marine Tours, Alaska Railroad, Anchorage Fire Department, Alaska State Emergency Operations Center, University of Alaska-Anchorage, Port of Seward, and the Port of Alaska-Anchorage.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Eulizes Montalvo, left, and Sgt. Taylor Coe, right, both chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialists with the California National Guard's 9th Civil Support Team, discuss how to respond to a nearby hazard during a night exercise, Jan. 28, 2019, on Alcatraz Island near San Francisco. Cal Guard civil support troops head to Alaska mid-May to participate in another exercise, ORCA 21. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman)

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Eulizes Montalvo, left, and Sgt. Taylor Coe, right, both chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialists with the California National Guard's 9th Civil Support Team, discuss how to respond to a nearby hazard during a night exercise, Jan. 28, 2019, on Alcatraz Island near San Francisco. Cal Guard civil support troops head to Alaska mid-May to participate in another exercise, ORCA 21. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman)

National Guard CST units from California, Connecticut, Colorado, Idaho, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin are joining Alaska’s CST. The Alaska National Guard’s 207th Aviation Battalion, Joint Operations Center and 176th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Emergency Management section will also be involved. The 196th Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army Pacific, is facilitating the planning and execution of Exercise ORCA21.

National Guard CST units support local, state and federal authorities at domestic nuclear, biological or chemical incidents by identifying agents and substances, assessing consequences, advising on response measures, and assisting with requests for additional military support.

More than 400 military and civilian personnel are involved in ORCA21, including about 300 National Guard members.

California is home to the Guard's 9th and 95th Civil Support Teams.