Civilian, military forces learning to work together

Jace Radke

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

Saving civilian lives after chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive terrorist attacks, while working under civilian authorities, is a mission that takes some getting used to for military members.

"We train to go fight overseas, so this is a little different," said Maj. Maria Quon, who is in Las Vegas this week with the Department of Defense Joint Task Force Civil Support. "We're very proud to be a part of this humanitarian mission, but this is a whole new world."

The task force is a specialized military unit based at Fort Monroe, Va., tasked with providing resources to assist local and state authorities in managing the consequences of major industrial accidents or terrorist attacks.

The 160-member unit went into operation in 1999, and is in Las Vegas this week as part of Operation Determined Promise, a national drill designed to test the ability of military, federal and local officials to work together during a terrorist attack.

The task force can set up field hospitals and decontamination facilities, and can draw on all the resources and experts that the branches of the military can provide.

"We reach across all spectrums to provide whatever is needed," said Maj. Gen. Jerry Grizzle, commander of the unit.

One example of the unit's versatility is the team that was sent to assist with the investigation into the explosion that destroyed the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Nuclear, chemical and logistical specialists were sent to assist with the investigation. An initial assessment team was also sent to Manhattan after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, but a full deployment of the task force was not needed.

"Sometimes we feel like we're defending ourselves, because we didn't end up being needed in New York during 9-11," Grizzle said. "New York is an exception, because no other city has the kinds of resources that they have there.

"That kind of event in any other city would likely require our help."

Much of the task force's impact has been behind the scenes since it was formed in 1999. Planning for the special events such as the Olympics, and working with local and state authorities are constant responsibilities.

"We have all of the emergency response plans from cities across the country, and we're constantly working with local emergency managers so they know who we are and we know who they are," said Dr. Robert Alonso, a task force member and commander in the U.S. Navy. "In an emergency we'd be in contact with FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and starting to get resources together so that we can hit the ground running when we're called in."

It takes the task force about 12 hours to set up its joint operations center from when they hit the ground at an attack site. The unit is then ready to assist local authorities at the request of FEMA, and can call in additional military resources as needed.

In Las Vegas the task force is working through a scenario where a simulated case of plague has been released on the Strip.