Tennessee Maneuvers Conclude in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Last week more than 400 Airmen from the Tennessee National Guard conducted a major training exercise from June 20 to 23 at the Memphis Air National Guard Base as part of Tennessee Maneuvers 2016. Reacting to various response scenarios caused by a simulated 6.5 magnitude earthquake, Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing in Knoxville, the 164th Airlift Wing from Memphis, and the 118th Wing from Nashville partnered with Soldiers from the Tennessee Army National Guard and numerous state and local agencies for intense, realistic, disaster training to assist the citizens of Memphis.
Mass casualty evacuations, medical triage, forming Points of Distribution sites to provide citizens supplies, establishing communication centers, and conducting damage assessments and reconnaissance were just a few of the missions that the Tennessee Guard performed during the exercise. “It’s been all encompassing and will serve us well across the state, enabling us to return the city to some normal activity in the event of a major catastrophe,” said Col. Raymond Robinson, Commander of the 164th Airlift Wing.
The exercise was designed to promote realism utilizing complex terrain, multiple partners, unique authorities and statutes to test and demonstrate catastrophic response capabilities. But developing these skills wasn’t the only purpose for the exercise. “One of our objectives was to establish relationships with our civilian agencies in a unified command setting,” said Robinson.
According to Maj. Gen. Terry “Max” Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, “The mission of the Tennessee National Guard is to support emergency management by bringing together local civil authorities, under the coordination of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and provide military response resources in the event of a catastrophic emergency. During these emergencies, the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard bring unique skills and specialized equipment that can rapidly stabilize and assist in any situation throughout our great state.”
Throughout the exercise, the Tennessee Guard partnered with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Shelby County Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transportation Security Agency, Memphis International Airport, and numerous other agencies and built professional relationships.
"The 164th is an integral part of the greater Memphis community and a key stakeholder in Memphis International Airport operations. One of the crucial objectives of this catastrophic event was the resumption of airport operations for reception of relief personnel, supplies and medical aid for the community,” said Robinson.
Synchronizing knowledge and expertise among State, Civil and Military organizations was one of the significant objectives of Tennessee Maneuvers 2016 and it has been highly successful.
Tennessee National Guard "Humm-vees" move into Memphis escorted by Motorcycle Patrolmen as part of the ongoing Tennessee Maneuvers 16. Memphis and civilian emergency agencies trained for a major earthquake and recovery effort in Memphis, Tenn., June 20-23. The exercise was intended for National Guardsmen and emergency agencies to be prepared in the case of a damaging earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.