Joint Training Put to Test

June 25, 2010
By 2LT John Quin, Courtesy of Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Jefferson City, MO, United States

As counties in northwest Missouri continue to battle floodwaters, the Missouri National Guard has ramped up operations in the area with a joint effort of Soldiers and Airmen.

As of Thursday night, 33 Soldiers and Airmen were conducting relief operations in support of Operation Northwest Crest. Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan and Holt counties have been significantly affected by flooding. Task Force Northwest, which is commanded by Colonel Mike Pankau of the 139th Airlift Wing, is made up of the state’s Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen.

"The Airmen and Soldiers of Task Force Northwest are working hard to help the citizens of northwest Missouri," Pankau said. "As we get new requests, our task force will continue to step up to meet the mission."

Soldiers and Airmen are conducting a variety of missions supporting civil authorities, including manning traffic control points and monitoring levees. Guardsmen are also serving as liaison officers with local emergency operations centers and civil authorities.

The joint task force is the result of stressing joint training and joint operations, said Brigadier General Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard.

“In Missouri, we’re one team with one fight,” Danner said. “Our Soldiers and Airmen have learned on the ground and in the air in Iraq and Afghanistan that no matter how good each component is alone, we’re infinitely better together.”

Colonel Mark McCarter, director of plans, operations and training for the Missouri Guard, said that in recent years, the Missouri National Guard has stressed joint planning and training.

“When we plan for emergency missions, whether it’s a small-scale emergency that lasts a few days or a worst case scenario like an earthquake along the New Madrid Seismic Zone, we make sure we’re using all of our resources as effectively and efficiently as possible,” McCarter said. “When we’re called up to respond to an emergency, we’re not just Soldiers or Airmen – we’re Guard members.”

Colonel Kathleen Hancox, director of staff for the Missouri Air National Guard, said applying those lessons to stateside emergency missions has made the total force more efficient in such operations.

“We both bring unique skill sets to the fight,” Hancox said. “When we join together, we double our power. The more we work together, the better we are.”

In Northwest Missouri, the Soldiers and Airmen on duty are already well acquainted, said Major Barb Denny.  Most recently, the Army Guard helped the 139th put together the Speed of Sound Air Show. The two components have also worked together previously during emergency call-ups.

“This is really the second time we’ve worked with the Army Guard during a state emergency mission,” Denny said. “The first time was during the December 2007 ice storms. It’s better today because we know each other better.”

The Missouri National Guard will remain on duty until released by the Governor and local civil authorities. Any communities needing help from the Missouri National Guard should have their local civil authorities request assistance through the State Emergency Management Agency.