The New York Guard (State Defense Force) recently participated in a multi agency emergency communications exercise. The exercise focused on testing communications interoperability between multiple State and Federal Agencies. The radio equipment used in these tests become very necessary when the cellular network is no longer operational due to a natural disaster, or other statewide emergency that can overwhelm the network. It allows critical agencies to continue communicating without disruption. The exercise involved the New York Guard, Naval Militia (US Navy & US Marine Corps Reserve Personnel), Civil Air Patrol, as well as the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES).
The New York Guard has been tasked by the Adjutant General of New York (Senior National Guard General) to ensure in the event of a cellular network breakdown this emergency network is online and fully functional. They were provided sophisticated equipment by the National Guard to complete this mission.
New York Guard service members participated in Empire Challenge, a statewide exercise that tested communications operations and interoperability with other state and federal agencies. The New York Guard operated the MERC (Mobile Emergency Response Center) on July 16th, 2022, at Camp Smith Training Site, as well as at other sites throughout the state.More images and photos will continue to be posted.
The New York Guard, along with the New York Naval Militia, New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), and the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the Air Force, took part in a statewide communication exercise referred to as Empire Challenge, from July 15-17th 2022.The exercise tested communication equipment, operational readiness, and interoperability of New York Military Forces with other state and federal agencies in an emergency scenario. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt Michael Bilski, and Cpt Mark Getman, New York Guard State Defense Force)
Source: New York Guard
