Illinois National Guard Teams with Kankakee for County-Wide Exercise

Story by Spc. Chasity Johnson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

Related Media

The Kankakee Fire Department fight the flames on a Boeing 737 jet simulator during the Kankakee Disaster Exercise Oct. 23 in Kankakee.

KANKAKEE, IL (10/26/2010)(readMedia)-- "What does the Illinois National Guard do?" Civilians who are unfamiliar with the National Guard and its mission frequently ask this question.

The Guard is often called upon to assist local agencies responding to domestic emergencies. In order to improve their proficiency working with these agencies they must practice.

Illinois National Guardsmen from the Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield, 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base, 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago, 65th Troop Command Brigade in Springfield and the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicago teamed up with Kankakee County for a 6-hour full-scale exercise Oct. 23.

Capt. Greg Hertz of Alton, an officer with joint staff operational plans and joint force development directorate in Springfield, said the purpose of these joint training exercises is to test the abilities and efficiency of participating agencies.

"Agencies get together and practice all of the training they have been through in the past," said Hertz.

The Kankakee Disaster Exercise, which had been in the planning stage for two years, centered around a faux plane crash at the Greater Kankakee Airport.

Organizers of the exercise covered fields near the airport with debris and singed luggage, recruited volunteers to act as victims and grieving relatives and emblazed a Boeing 737 jet simulator in attempt to add to the realness of the exercises.

As the Kankakee Fire Department fought the flames flying from the 737 and the Kankakee Police Department ensured the perimeter was secure, the Guardsmen provided support by supplying air and communication capabilities.

Company B, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Chicago with the 65th provided two Black Hawks for the exercise and the 405th Brigade Support Battalion in North Riverside supplied two Humvees, a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) – a two-way satellite ground station with a dish antenna that is smaller than three meters – and a Contingency Response Communications System (CRCS).

The CRCS provides first responders the ability to communicate with each other using different radio types, including ultra high frequency, very high frequency low band, 800MHz, amateur, Citizens' Band, Family Radio Service and cell phone.

"The state exists to support the locals," said Hertz of the Illinois National Guard's roll in scenarios like this. "When locals run out of resources they reach back to the state to fill in the gaps."