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Vibrant Response Kicks Off At MUTC

By Staff Sgt. Brad Staggs

A simulated nuclear bomb is detonated in Louisville, Ky., and a local community is portrayed as being torn apart in the aftermath of the explosion as part of a coordinated exercise with multiple governmental agencies.

This is the basis of Vibrant Response 11.1, a U.S. Northern Command homeland emergency response exercise being conducted at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex by U.S. Army North.

For two weeks in March, over 3,500 personnel who are part of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Consequence Management Response Force are descending on MUTC which is doubling as a community in distress. The magnitude of preparation for the exercise has been enormous according to Lt. Col. Dale Lyles, MUTC Site Commander.

A mannequin representing a victim of a nuclear blast rests against the remains of an over-turned vehicle as the 85th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team based in Wyoming checks air quality during Vibrant Response 11.1, a U.S. Northern Command homeland emergency response exercise being conducted at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex in Butlerville, Ind., which tests the capabilities of the nation's emergency response network. (photo by Staff Sgt. Brad Staggs)

"We have been physically prepping the facility for over a month," Lyles explained. "It may look like hell on Earth, but there is a reason for the placement of every piece of rubble, trash, and destroyed vehicle."

The first day of the exercise showed how much the preparation has paid off by presenting an atmosphere to the first responders unlike anyplace they had ever trained.

A Soldier with the 84th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team based in Wyoming tests the air quality in the aftermath of a notional nuclear blast during Vibrant Response 11.1, a U.S. Northern Command homeland emergency response exercise being conducted at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex in Butlerville, Ind., which tests the capabilities of the nation's emergency response network. (photo by Staff Sgt. Brad Staggs)

Immediately following the notional (or make-believe) nuclear blast, Soldiers from the 84th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team based in Wyoming were sent into the area to test the air for residual radiation. Wearing suits to protect them against any possible radiation, the Soldiers used a 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle to weave in and out of the destruction.

The Soldiers stopped at various points throughout the facility in order to test the air, going so far as to enter the Muscatatuck headquarters building, testing air quality and all flat surfaces for contamination... while headquarters personnel went on with their daily work.

The first day of Vibrant Response represents the tip of the response iceberg. After ensuring that the air is breathable, emergency responders will flood into the site looking for mock survivors and assisting people in getting the basic necessities of life.

For the next week, the Soldiers and emergency responders will not know what's coming next. It's the only way to train for the unknown.

Muscatatuck Urban Training Center is the site of Vibrant Response 11.1, a U.S. Northern Command homeland emergency response exercise which tests the capabilities of the nation's emergency response network. (photo by Staff Sgt. Brad Staggs)

The 84th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team based in Wyoming arrives in the aftermath of a notional nuclear blast in order to check for contamination during Vibrant Response 11.1, a U.S. Northern Command homeland emergency response exercise being conducted at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex in Butlerville, Ind., which tests the capabilities of the nation's emergency response network. (photo by Staff Sgt. Brad Staggs)