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Training exercise Capital Shield 2011 tests urban search and rescue response

Oct 12, 2010

By JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs

More than 80 federal and non-federal agencies began participation today in the Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's (JFHQ-NCR/MDW) annual joint training exercise Capital Shield '11.

The exercise scenario includes response actions to mass casualty incidents and collapsed structures that require urban search and rescue and mass casualty evacuations. Participants outside Department of Defense include Fairfax County Fire Department, Arlington County Fire Department, DC Fire and Emergency Medical Support, and Montgomery County Civilian Emergency Response Team as well as others.

The scenarios will take place in the air and on the ground starting 12 Oct. and continue through 14 Oct. Capital Shield '11 will integrate air operations into the exercise with the Army's 12th Aviation Battalion and the 121st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) of the DC National Guard both flying missions. These units will transport elements from the Army's 911th Technical Rescue Engineer Company to the exercise site and conduct medical evacuations of personnel with simulated injuries.

Fairfax County residents can expect a minor increase in helicopter traffic in the vicinity of Interstate 95, Exit 161 and the Lorton Training Facility. The helicopter activity is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 13, 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and on Thursday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Exercise Capital Shield '11 is designed to test and evaluate joint operations, techniques, procedures and command and control relationships. The goal of the exercise is to ensure that government agencies at every level are prepared to take coordinated action to protect the public in the event of an actual emergency in the case of either natural or man-made disasters inside the National Capital Region.

Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region, a regional subordinate of U.S. Northern Command, is charged with defense support of civil authorities in the National Capital Region.

To learn more about Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region or U.S. Army Military District of Washington, visit www.mdw.army.mil.