The Georgia Department of Defense recently held a Hurricane response exercise with a multitude of agencies. Many organizations were involved from the Georgia Army National Guard, Air National Guard, State Defense Force, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the American Red Cross and a few other local agencies. The exercise focused on how each agency would respond and coordinate with one another if a hurricane hit the State.

The Adjutant General of the State, Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr., led the exercise.

Hurricane Season 2022: The Georgia State Defense Force Joins the Georgia National Guard and Various Agencies in Training Exercise

GSDF

June 1, 2022

Frontline News

Hurricane Season 2022
The Georgia State Defense Force Joins the Georgia National Guard and Various Agencies in Training Exercise

By Capt. Beverly Shepard
Col. Lan Skalla contributed to this report.

 

In preparing for the 2022 hurricane season, the Georgia Department of Defense conducted a hurricane exercise (rehearsal of concept) earlier this year. The Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) participated in the exercise held at Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga.

During this training, participants shared how their agencies and organizations would assist the state in the event of a hurricane. This information helped ensure readiness and interagency synchronization for the 2022 hurricane season (June 1-November 30).

Georgia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. (photo below) spoke during the hurricane preparation training exercise. GSDF Commanding General Brig. Gen. Mark D. Gelhardt Sr. joined Maj. Gen. Carden and other leaders at the command table.

Georgia’s Joint Staff, the Georgia Air National Guard, the Georgia Army National Guard, and the GSDF gave briefings on protocols for a hurricane response. Assistant Chief of Staff G3 (Plans and Operations) COL Lan Skalla, who briefed for the GSDF, was among those from the GSDF who attended.

Along with the Georgia Department of Defense, other participants included the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the American Red Cross, and various state partners.

The Georgia Department of Defense prepares for the hurricane season by partnering with federal, state, and local agencies to conduct a hurricane preparation exercise (rehearsal of concept), April 1, 2022. This exercise helps ensure readiness and interagency synchronization in the event of a hurricane. Hurricane season is June 1-November 30.
Photo courtesy of the Georgia National Guard

 

Georgia Adjutant General Thomas M. Carden Jr. speaks during a hurricane preparation exercise, Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga., April 1, 2022. A large map of the state of Georgia, used as part of the exercise, covered the floor. Hurricane season is June 1-November 30.
Georgia State Defense Force photo by GSDF Commanding General Brig. Gen. Mark D. Gelhardt Sr.

 

Georgia State Defense Force Commanding General Brig. Gen. Mark D. Gelhardt Sr. (far left) joins Georgia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. and other leaders at the command table during a hurricane preparation exercise, Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga., April 1, 2022. A large map of the state of Georgia, used as part of the exercise, covered the floor. Hurricane season is June1-Novembr 30.
Photo courtesy of the Georgia National Guard

Source: Georgia State Defense Force