By Tech. Sgt. Jon LaDue
Wisconsin National Guard
If there was one unit that could
symbolize the Wisconsin National Guard's domestic operations role, an argument
could be made for the 54th Civil Support Team, which held a change-of-command
ceremony Wednesday (May 16) at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Madison.
The 54th CST is a joint unit -
encompassing Wisconsin Soldiers and Airmen - that is a round-the-clock team
postured for response to natural disasters, toxic industrial chemical incidents
and terrorists situations with an emphasis on weapons of mass destruction.
The CST is also joint in the aspect that
it frequently coordinates, trains and responds with local, state and federal
organizations. The unit is often looked to for initial reports and analysis of
unknown materials which could potentially pose a threat to the public's safety.
"Their ability to analyze materials
and respond, both from their training standpoint and equipment standpoint, far
exceeds what we have here locally," said FBI supervisory agent Christopher
Cole. "So in an incident we're going to rely heavily upon them."
The FBI and the CST share the domestic
WMD mission and the partnership between the two agencies is extremely
important, Cole said.
The 54th works with more than just the
FBI, however, having trained and worked with more than 90 civil agencies. And
according to Col. Paul Russell, commander of the Wisconsin Army National
Guard's 64th Troop Command, the CST has responded 100 percent of the time
they've been requested.
"On average you spend one-third of
the fiscal year away from your friends and family. Remember the importance of
what you do," Russell said. "We are counting on you, Wisconsin is
counting on you - as are the citizens of our great nation."
Air Guard Lt. Col. David May assumed
command of the 54th CST, from Army Guard Lt. Col. Timothy Covington during the
formal ceremony. May becomes the first Air National Guard officer to lead the
unit, which is part of the Department of Defense's program to assist local
authorities in any WMD event.
"This is an incredibly exciting and
humbling day for me," May said. "While I never could have foreseen a
unique opportunity such as this one … I consider it a dream come true to be at
this particular unit.
"Today starts a new chapter for us
and it will be a chapter we will write together," May continued. "I
can only come to the conclusion that as we build on the many successes of the
past, this CST team is destined for continued greatness and a well deserved
place in the top tier of CSTs across the nation."
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