Georgia National Guard and State Defense Force Unite for Patriot 25 Disaster Response Exercise

In a comprehensive display of readiness and interoperability, The Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) participated prominently in Patriot 25, an extensive joint task force exercise that drew over 700 participants from the Georgia Air National Guard, Georgia Army National Guard, as well as National Guard troops from other states and numerous federal, state, and local agencies. Conducted from March 24–27, 2025, the exercise spanned multiple key locations, including the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Fort Stewart in Hinesville, and the Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia.

Patriot 25 was meticulously designed to simulate a catastrophic earthquake scenario, aiming to prepare military personnel, first responders, and civilian agencies for a range of emergency operations. These included urban search and rescue, aeromedical evacuations, tactical airdrops, and civil unrest responses. Colonel Roger Brooks, the exercise director, emphasized that Patriot 25 serves not only as preparation for natural disasters but also equips agencies to respond to man-made threats, including cyberattacks and terrorism, thereby bolstering national resilience.

Throughout the exercise, GSDF personnel demonstrated vital capabilities by actively assisting both military and civilian counterparts. Members of the GSDF, specifically from the 5th Battalion, Georgia Force Assistance Brigade of North Georgia, played crucial roles in multiple high-stakes scenarios. These tasks included the careful extraction and rescue of victims from collapsed structures, downed aircraft, subway disasters, and floodwaters.

One significant scenario featured GSDF soldiers conducting a complex rotary-to-fixed-wing medical evacuation. A simulated critically injured patient was transferred from a Black Hawk helicopter to a Wyoming Air National Guard C-130 aircraft in a swift tail-to-tail exchange. This exercise demonstrated GSDF’s adeptness at facilitating rapid, coordinated medical evacuations alongside National Guard aviation units.

GSDF soldiers also showcased their proficiency in urban search and rescue operations (USAR). During scenarios involving visibly collapsed buildings and structurally compromised standing buildings, soldiers meticulously utilized FEMA-standard marking systems to track search progress and ensure no area was left unchecked. Equipped with UAVs and advanced detection equipment, GSDF teams effectively coordinated with engineers and first responders, practicing critical decision-making skills necessary for real-world disaster situations.

Further challenging scenarios included underground rescues, such as a simulated tunnel collapse scenario, where GSDF teams navigated through pitch-dark, debris-laden environments. Soldiers overcame communication challenges, tight spaces, and potential hazards to safely extract survivors. Additionally, a collapsed bridge exercise tested GSDF personnel’s structural assessment capabilities and their coordination with engineering units to secure safe extraction paths.

In another notable event, GSDF soldiers responded to a simulated aircraft crash site, balancing urgent medical evacuation efforts with forensic preservation for investigation purposes. Collaboration with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) highlighted the GSDF’s ability to support critical multi-agency cooperation during complex emergencies.

Patriot 25 brought together several key federal and state agencies, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Verizon Frontline Crisis Response teams, and numerous local emergency responders. This interagency collaboration was integral to the successful execution of the training scenarios.

The Guardian Centers in Perry provided a realistic and expansive training environment, including simulated flooded neighborhoods, collapsed buildings, an underground transit system, and a full-scale interstate highway disaster scenario. The facility offered participants unparalleled opportunities to engage in realistic, high-stakes scenarios, effectively preparing them for real-world emergencies.

Lieutenant Colonel Damon Denzin of the Alabama National Guard highlighted the importance of such realistic and immersive training, stating, “We practice those things as real as possible so when the bell rings, we’re able to take care of the citizens of this country.”

Exercises like Patriot 25 are vital to the GSDF, enhancing their capability to seamlessly integrate with military, federal, state, and local agencies during actual emergencies. Through rigorous training and realistic simulations, GSDF soldiers are better prepared to respond decisively and effectively to protect and serve their communities.

Congratulations to all members of The Georgia State Defense Force, National Guard, and participating agencies on the successful completion of Patriot 25. More photos and videos from this impressive exercise will be shared throughout the coming week, highlighting the critical skills and teamwork demonstrated during this essential training event.

Patriot 25 is here! Airmen, Soldiers and emergency responders are touching down in Savannah, ready to enhance readiness and coordination in simulated crisis scenarios. The mission starts NOW!

No terrain too tough. No soul too lost.

This year’s catastrophic earthquake scenario is training first responders to find what matters—anytime, anywhere.

The Georgia State Defense Force helped pave the way forward during high-stakes search and rescue missions at the Guardian Centers in Perry, GA.
Military and civilian partners at Patriot25 are standing shoulder to shoulder, demonstrating what readiness looks like when every second counts.

Patriot25 participants sprang into action, moving injured role players to safety during simulated disasters at the Guardian Centers in Perry, GA.

This high-intensity, hands-on training sharpens the skills needed to support, transport, and care for those injured in a crisis.

JOINT FORCE MEDEVAC
Airmen and Soldiers teamed up during Patriot25 for a simulated casualty evacuation to an HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
This MEDEVAC put patient movement to the test and strengthened coordination between joint counterparts, all in support of domestic response readiness.

U.S. Airmen, assisted by members of the Georgia State Defense Force, transport a role played with simulated injuries to safety during Patriot 25 at Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia, March 25, 2025. Approximately 700 participants from the National Guard and federal, state, and local agencies are participating in Patriot 25, a National Guard-sponsored exercise designed to enhance domestic response readiness and interagency coordination. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Christa Ross)

Urban SAR

Search and Rescue

Searching Underground

The long dark tunnel

Collapsed Bridge

Downed aircraft

Searching for survivors

The Georgia State Defense Force stepped up at #Patriot25, executing search and rescue during a simulated catastrophic earthquake scenario. Working alongside military and civilian agencies, their efforts reinforce Georgia’s ability to respond when disaster strikes.

Sources: WTOC Channel 11 – National Guard Patriot Exercise – KerryHatcher.com – Georgia State Defense Force – DVIDS