STORY+VIDEO
Training for Chaos

Civil Support Teams improve teamwork during multi-agency exercise

Merced County firefighters wash down a fellow firefighter at a decontamination station during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, Dec. 1, 2021. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies during hazardous operations that could impact the public. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

Merced County firefighters wash down a fellow firefighter at a decontamination station during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, Dec. 1, 2021. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies during hazardous operations that could impact the public. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

Video by Staff Sgt. Kimberly S. Hill
Story and Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson
California National Guard Public Affairs

Dec. 15, 2021

ATWATER, Calif. — A Merced County Police explosive ordnance disposal specialist walks towards a dilapidated building in his green, heavily armored blast suit. His face is hidden by an oxygen mask. An air tank is strapped to his back.

Fire trucks line up a few hundred feet away from the inconspicuous white brick building. Yellow caution tape, vibrant orange cones and a decontamination station color the bland surrounding area.

A shrill chirping noise pierces the silence. The fire fighter checks his personal alert safety system device while he rests, quieting the sound that alerts others if no movement is detected.

What looked like the set of Hollywood’s next apocalyptic movie production wasn’t for entertainment, and thankfully wasn’t a real-world catastrophe. This was a training scenario that tested local, regional, and federal agencies on their ability to respond as a cohesive unit to an unknown hazard.

“Civil Support Teams are your initial out-the-door teams for the California Military Department,” said U.S. Army Capt. Rory Hight, the operations officer for the Hayward-based 95th Civil Support Team, labeling his team as one of the first elements on a scene because of their relationships with first responders.

“We are able to identify, assist, advise, and assess on various scenarios, which allows the Homeland Response Force to be the follow-on force that can come and understand exactly what scenario or environment they are coming into.”

The 95th CST is one of two California National Guard teams that provide chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear expertise to county assets or first responders. They bring a multitude of CBRN-related capabilities to enhance local emergency response team capabilities.

A Merced County Police explosive ordnance disposal specialist in his green, heavily armored blast suit reports his findings to local law enforcement and the CAL FIRE hazmat specialist during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, Dec. 1, 2021. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies during hazardous operations that could impact the public. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

A Merced County Police explosive ordnance disposal specialist in his green, heavily armored blast suit reports his findings to local law enforcement and the CAL FIRE hazmat specialist during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, Dec. 1, 2021. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies during hazardous operations that could impact the public. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

“We are able to identify, assist, advise, and assess on various scenarios, which allows the Homeland Response Force to be the follow-on force that can come and understand exactly what scenario or environment they are coming into.”
U.S. Army Capt. Rory Hight, Operations officer

Leaders from Merced County Fire, CAL FIRE, Merced Police Bomb Squad, and California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Teams discuss the emergency operation exercise during a joint hazardous environment exercise at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, Dec. 1, 2021. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies during hazardous operations that could impact the public. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

Leaders from Merced County Fire, CAL FIRE, Merced Police Bomb Squad, and California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Teams discuss the emergency operation exercise during a joint hazardous environment exercise at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, Dec. 1, 2021. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies during hazardous operations that could impact the public. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

A member of California National Guard’s 95th Civil Support Team follows his TALON generation 4 tracked military robot to the hazard area as the rest of the CBRN Response Enterprise enters the joint operation area behind him at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater on Dec. 1. The TALON, a unique CST capability, remotely monitors an environment to better determine the potential safety ramifications before sending in a manned team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

Merced County Police bomb squad assist their fellow explosive ordnance disposal specialist in suiting up in his green, heavily armored blast suit during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater on Dec. 1. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies during hazardous operations that could impact the public. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

A member of California National Guard’s 95th Civil Support Team follows his TALON generation 4 tracked military robot to the hazard area as the rest of the CBRN Response Enterprise enters the joint operation area behind him at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater on Dec. 1. The TALON, a unique CST capability, remotely monitors an environment to better determine the potential safety ramifications before sending in a manned team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

Merced County Police bomb squad assist their fellow explosive ordnance disposal specialist in suiting up in his green, heavily armored blast suit during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater on Dec. 1. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies during hazardous operations that could impact the public. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

The scenario began with Merced County firefighters responding to a clandestine lab, or an illegal drug laboratory, said Hight. When chemicals and unknown substances were discovered, the 95th CST was requested to sample, identify, and advise on further actions to resolve the situation.

“They bring a lot of equipment we don’t have,” said CAL FIRE Capt. Blaine Lopes based in Merced County. “From communication systems, monitoring devices, and decontamination equipment, they just have more advanced stuff.”

On the flip side of the same coin, first responders bring their additional specialized training and assets such as the Merced County Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

“We have similar technology, but it’s also complimentary,” said Hight, highlighting the EOD specialist who conducted a site survey before the CST arrived and provided pertinent information for the progression of the exercise.

These exercises, though a bit frightening if observed by an uninformed bystander, are done regularly in coordination with first responders throughout the state. The continuous partnership through these types of events continues to build strong communication and expand interoperability, said Hight.

From natural disasters to domestic terrorism, these teams and agencies prepare year-round to tackle the challenges of domestic response in high stake situations. Realistic exercises like this enables these specialists in mayhem to be ready for any kind of circumstance.

“By coming out and doing this in the real world with our first responders, we are able to identify issues, fix them, and expand upon them as lessons of opportunity for growth,” said Hight.

A TALON generation 4 tracked military robot approaches the entry of a building under investigation for hazardous materials during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater on Dec. 1. The TALON, a unique CST capability, remotely monitors an environment to better determine the potential safety ramifications before sending in a manned team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

A TALON generation 4 tracked military robot approaches the entry of a building under investigation for hazardous materials during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater on Dec. 1. The TALON, a unique CST capability, remotely monitors an environment to better determine the potential safety ramifications before sending in a manned team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

A site survey team from the Hayward-based 95th Civil Support Team investigates a potentially hazardous environment in hazmat suits during a joint exercise local, state, and federal agencies at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater on Dec. 1. In partnership with Merced County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and other agencies, the joint operation promotes interoperability and communication in preparation of any emergency from natural disasters to domestic terrorism. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

A site survey team from the Hayward-based 95th Civil Support Team investigates a potentially hazardous environment in hazmat suits during a joint exercise local, state, and federal agencies at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater on Dec. 1. In partnership with Merced County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and other agencies, the joint operation promotes interoperability and communication in preparation of any emergency from natural disasters to domestic terrorism. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

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