Vibrant Response 2014
By Master Sgt. Ralph Branson, 121st Air Refueling Wing
/ Published July 29, 2014
July 29, 2014 --
Airmen from the 121st Air Refueling Wing participated in a major homeland emergency response exercise conducted by U.S. Northern Command at Camp Atterbury, Ind. Joint Exercise Vibrant Response involves more than 5,500 military and civilian personnel from 28 U.S. states and territories. It is considered the nation's premier disaster response exercise and includes participants from the Department of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, and numerous other local, state, and federal agencies. This training event simulates the response to a terrorist attack in the United States.
Airmen from the 121st Medical Group participated as part of the CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages Team (CERF-P) and the Homeland Response Force (HRF). The CERF-P team provides medical support in the form of triage, basic, and critical care to patients as part of the Search and Extraction team. U.S. Air Force Major Steven Kapetansky, a medical doctor assigned to the CERF-P team, described the spirit of the mission as "any disaster, any place, anytime".
Airmen from the 121st Air Refueling Wing Force Support Squadron comprised the Fatality Search and Recovery (FSR) team. Their mission is to assist medical examiners and coroners in collecting human remains from the scene of the simulated terrorist attack.
U.S. Air Force Major Gregory Bryant, commander of the 121st Force Support Squadron was proud of his Airmen in the exercise. "This was the FSRTs first exercise, and they did an outstanding job. Our inspectors told me on several occasions how they could not believe this was our first collective event. I am so proud of their effort, can do attitude, and willingness to help each other at all times" said Bryant.