Coast Guard, Army National Guard to partner for radiological/chemical hazard training exercise

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River’s Vessel Boarding Security Team and the Oregon Army National Guard 102^nd Civil Support Team are scheduled to train together in Astoria this week to prepare for potential chemical and or radiation threats posed by vessels entering the Columbia River.

In the event that the Coast Guard VBST discovers high levels of radiation or unfamiliar chemicals aboard a vessel, the CST would be called upon to identify the material, and decontaminate the vessel and any members of the team with whom it had come into contact.

The teams worked together in a real world scenario April 8, 2011, when the freight vessel Pan Pac Spirit was cleared to enter the Columbia River. Both teams boarded the vessel, which had recently transited through potentially contaminated waters in the vicinity of Fukushima, Japan. The VBST provided security and basic radiation detection while the CST offered more technologically advanced radiological and chemical detecting capabilities.
Imagery and interview opportunities for this Tuesday and Wednesday are as follows:
Tuesday, Aug. 14, 9 a.m. — Helicopter vertical delivery training at Air Station Astoria, in Warrenton, Ore. Members will practice hoisting to and lowering from a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.
Tuesday, Aug. 15, 12:30 p.m. — Team building exercise with the CST and VBST. Teams will train together on an obstacle course at Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Ore.
Wednesday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m. — Drill vessel boardings on the Columbia River. In a drill, VBST will find chemical or radiological agents aboard the Tongue Point Job Corps training vessel Ironwood. CST team will be called in and it will be discovered that a VBST member has been contaminated. The contaminated member will be taken to Hammond Marina via boat from Station Cape Disappointment. There will be a full decontamination line set up at Hammond Marina. Warrenton Fire Department will be on scene.