Thousands ramp up for upcoming cooperative exercise: Alaska Shield, Arctic Edge

by Tech. Sgt. John Gordinier
ALCOM/JTF-AK Public Affairs

2/20/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- It happened in 1964 and it could happen again; a massive earthquake causing destruction, tsunamis, utilities and communications failures. For the 50th anniversary of the 9.2 magnitude earthquake, thousands of local, state and federal personnel will participate in a cooperative exercise called Alaska Shield March 27 - April 3.

The exercise scenario will mirror a situation similar to the events of the Great Alaskan earthquake of 1964.

The federal support of this exercise is known as Exercise Arctic Edge 14, which provides an opportunity for U.S. Northern Command, Joint Task Force - Alaska and supporting military units to practice emergency response procedures in conjunction with federal, state and local agencies.

If a state disaster occurs, when can DoD assist?

During natural disasters, DoD assets are employed to assist civil authorities only upon request and this support is called Defense Support of Civil Authorities or DSCA.

The DoD maintains many capabilities and resources that can be made available upon request of the governor of a state or territory, said Col. Kevin Masterson, U.S. Northern Command liaison officer to Joint Task Force - Alaska. If an incident occurs that exceeds or is anticipated to exceed state, local, or tribal resources, the federal government may provide resources and capabilities to support the response upon approval from the Secretary of Defense.

"DSCA is bringing military forces to bear, not in an offensive capability within the U.S., but in a support capability after a disaster," Masterson explained.

During DSCA, resources and capabilities can include logistics, command and control, search and rescue, emergency management, medical, communications and planning to name a few, he added. Civil authorities only ask for assistance when local and state resources and capabilities are exhausted because DoD assets are expensive.

"The Federal military is very expensive, so they are the last in and the first out," Masterson said. "When there is no more lifesaving or serious property damage to be prevented, or when local and State agencies have the ability to sustain life, DSCA will stand down."

DSCA is a unity of effort benefit and during the exercise another unity of effort benefit will be exercised--the Dual Status Commander.

A Dual Status Commander is typically a senior National Guard officer who may serve in two statuses simultaneously, Federal and State. The State governor can appoint a DSC for his or her State with approval of the Secretary of Defense. In State status, the DSC is a member of the State chain of command and, on their behalf, exercises command of assigned State National Guard forces. In Federal status, the DSC is a member of the Federal chain of command and, on their behalf, exercises command of assigned Federal military forces.

Currently, there are three that have the training in the State of Alaska, Masterson said. For this upcoming exercise, one will be chosen to be the DSC.

A benefit of DSC is the unity of effort between State National Guard forces and Federal military forces in achieving common objectives in response to a disaster, Masterson said. The DSC promotes synchronization between the two separate chains of command to achieve objectives more effectively and efficiently.

There are many benefits for personnel participating in Alaska Shield and Arctic Edge.

This large-scale exercise will reinforce working relationships and partnerships, Masterson said. When a disaster strikes it is the worst time to exchange business cards.

"If you know people you are going to be working with ahead of time, you will know their procedures, processes, routines and reporting methods," he explained. "You have those relationships built ahead of time so you know what your immediate actions are going to be, who you can expect to see, and you've worked with them before."

"Exercises like these also give us the opportunity to react to a simulated disaster in a joint effort to save lives, relieve human suffering and test our recovery efforts," continued Masterson. "JTF-Alaska, State and local agencies have a long-term commitment to train and to exercise together. Practicing our interoperability in recovery of a simulated natural disaster allows all of us to test and refine our plans and procedures so that if a real disaster takes place in Alaska, we will be better prepared to react, provide support and work together."