117th Air Refueling Wing Debuts Regional MEOC

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Richard Bailey
  • 117th Air Refueling Wing/Emergency Management
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. --  Hurricane season is upon us and the different agencies that would activate during a disaster are busy testing equipment and reviewing plans in preparation for the worst. Members from the 117 Emergency Management (CEX) and 117 Communications Flight (CF) participated in two recent exercises.
 
The Domestic Operations Group (The DOG) attached to the Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) in Montgomery held its yearly Review of Concept Drill (ROC Drill) the weekend of 12 April 2014. This super sized tabletop exercise is a review of how resources and personnel from Alabama National Guard units (Army and Air) may be deployed if our coastline were hit by a category 5 (CAT 5) hurricane. Part of the ROC Drill was a tour of the 117 Air Refueling Wing Mobile Emergency Operations Center (MEOC) for Senior Leadership and staff as well as representatives from The Adjutant General (TAG). This included a briefing on the various capabilities of the MEOC and discussions on how it would aid both civilian and military agencies responding to a disaster and provide needed Command, Control and Coordination.

Earlier in the week, members from 117 CEX and CF participated with members of the Alabama Strategic Technology Reserve (STR) in a Hurricane workshop/exercise. This event featured 2 days of classes culminating in CAT 5 Hurricane exercise. It was the first event where the MEOC was programmed in as part of statewide response to an incident, albeit a simulated event.

It was a very successful week for the 117 ARW that was the result of many months of preparation and would have not been possible without the cooperation and support of many members within the Wing!