The 2nd Brigade of The Texas State Guard (State Defense Force) recently finished their yearly annual training. It was a fully packed weekend as soldiers went through the process of getting their medical checkups, getting their height & weight measurements to ensure they are within military regulations, and underwent loads of training. From setting up field tents for emergency deployment, responding to simulated disasters, to tending & transporting casualties from simulated disasters zones.
The 2nd Brigade had the opportunity to train with a CH-46 Chinook during their Annual Training. Soldiers trained landing these large helicopters, they then worked on Aerial Port of Embarkation (APOE) & Aerial Port of Disembarkation (APOD). APOE & APOD involves soldiers loading and unloading non-ambulatory casualties onto CH-46 Chinook helicopters. This training is vital as The Texas State Guard is often upon to locate, medically stabilize & transport injured civilians from disasters zones to hospitals following a natural disaster.
The specialized units of The 2nd Brigade such as The waterborne Search & Rescue (SAR) teams worked with The Montgomery County Law Enforcement & other Authorities in responding to simulated exercises on the San Jacinto River. These units are often utilized during large scale flooding events rescuing stranded citizens from remote locations.
The Engineer units then followed up with inspecting damaged infrastructure & utilities, providing assessments and evaluations on restoring power & water to the population.
The training ensures that the Texas State Guard lives up to its motto, that they are ‘Equal To The Task’
Guardsmen of 2nd Brigade, Texas State Guard, begin intake and set-up for Annual Training, Houston, Texas, April 20, 2023. In addition to checking health and wellness, height and weight and administrative preparedness, troops also set up tents and helped prepare an ad hoc landing area for a CH-46 helicopter from the National United States Armed Forces Museum to practice static aeromedical evacuations. Many thanks to the museum for providing this real world experience to be better prepared for a mass care event during a natural disaster or other emergency. 2nd Brigade is ad omnia parati, “ready for anything!” (Texas State Guard photos by Warrant Officer 1 Gregory Illich) #duty #honor #texas #txlege #TexansServingTexas #TXMilitary
Guardsmen from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Texas State Guard, respond to a simulated disaster at Lake Conroe, coordinating boat, dive and engineer teams, during Annual Training, Conroe, Texas, April 21, 2023. Working with representatives of the San Jacinto River Authority and the Montgomery County Precinct One Constable, teams responded to waterborne emergencies, inspected structures and made post event damage assessments as they would in the wake of an actual disaster to help restore critical infrastructure. Well done! 2nd Brigade is ad omnia parati, “ready for anything!”(Texas State Guard photos by Maj. Michael Aldrich and Cpt. Ray Duerer) #duty #honor #texas #txlege #TXMilitary #TXSG #TexansServingTexas
Source: Texas State Guard
