The <strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong>’s Reaction Force uses a skirmish line formation,above, to move anti-nuclear “protestors” away from the security perimeteras part of a validation exercise Oct. 14-15 at Fort McCoy, Wis. This particularscenario called for providing additional security at the Kewaunee Nuclear PowerPlant following a notional mechanical failure, and assembling a riot control teamto counter a group of anti-nuclear demonstrators. At left, “protestors” sit asobstacles before the skirmish line. <strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong> photos by 1st Sgt.Vaughn R. Larson@easeExpressManning security perimeters and roadblocks, and facing protestors — all in aday’s work, or two, for the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong>Reaction Force (NGRF).The <strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong>’sNGRF completed a two-day exerciseOct. 15 at Fort McCoy designed tovalidate its ability to respond in supportof local authorities in the event of areal emergency. In this exercise thescenario called for a security mission atthe Kewaunee Power Station (nuclearpower plant) due to a nuclear emergencydeclaration at the site.Continued on Page 2928 <strong>November</strong> <strong>2011</strong>-<strong>January</strong> <strong>2012</strong>
<strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong> validates Reaction ForceContinued from Page 28Maj. Joseph Adamson, plans officerwith the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong>’sJoint Staff, said the NGRF demonstratedproficiency at roadblocks, check points,vehicle searches and critical site security.“These guys know the task and theyknow it very well,” Adamson said.Part of the scenario involved antinuclearpower protestors who arrived onthe scene and became unruly, requiringa crowd control team to assemble andprevent the situation from escalating.The crowd control team — completewith face shields, body shields, shinguards and riot batons — formed askirmish line and slowly advanced towardthe protestors.“Under the authority of the KewauneeCounty Sheriff, you must vacate the area,”a team leader ordered the protestors over aloudspeaker.Without making physical contact, theskirmish line moved the protestors awayfrom the site to a point down the roadwhere they could safely disperse. Onceat that point, the crowd control teamlowered its body shields but maintainedits line formation, clearly indicating thatno harm was intended to the protestors butthat they would not be allowed past theskirmish line.The NGRF is a ready combat armsforce which, upon request from thegovernor or president, provides an initialforce package of up to 125 personnelwithin eight hours and a follow-on forceof up to 375 personnel within 24 hours.The NGRF mission rotates each year —this year it is shared by Soldiers from 1stSquadron, 105th Cavalry.Lt. Col. David May, deputy director ofdomestic operations with the <strong>Wisconsin</strong><strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong> Joint Staff, said thevalidation exercise went well.“The preliminary results are extremelypositive,” he said, noting that the officialvalidation was still about one monthaway. “This was a valuable experience for@easeExpressAbove, a team leader instructs a groupof “protestors” to leave the area. At left,the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong>’s ReactionForce maintain their posture as a group of“protestors” departs a noisy but uneventfulconfrontation, part of a validation exerciseOct. 14-15 at Fort McCoy. This particularscenario called for providing additionalsecurity at the Kewaunee Nuclear PowerPlant following a notional mechanical failure,and assembling a riot control team to countera group of anti-nuclear demonstrators.Soldiers to adjust how they approach tasks thatare used in both wartime and domestic operations.They were quickly able to adopt an appropriateposture for a <strong>Wisconsin</strong> operation.”29 <strong>November</strong> <strong>2011</strong>-<strong>January</strong> <strong>2012</strong>
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