Applied Training Solutions, LLC recently spearheaded the Externally Evaluated Exercise 2024 at the United States Army Garrison (USAG) Redstone Arsenal, July 22-25. The exercise was crafted to assess the installation’s preparedness in responding to and recovering from a sophisticated man-made threat, illustrating ATS’s robust capabilities in exercise design, scenario planning, and simulation support.
The scenario for this exercise revolved around a simulated assault by a domestic terror group, known for targeting military installations, which included a comprehensive attack comprising of social media misinformation, cyber-attacks, physical sabotage, and a hazardous chemical spill, presenting significant challenges to the Redstone Arsenal community.
Beginning in mid-June, ATS provided extensive pre-exercise intelligence injects to prepare the Threat Working Group and the Garrison Commander. The exercise culminated on July 24, testing Redstone Arsenal’s emergency response capabilities. This included the activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC), alongside the deployment of first responders.
As the prime contractor, ATS’ responsibilities encompassed exercise design development, scenario planning, simulation modeling, social media production, design and support, as well as White Cell support and execution. These comprehensive services enabled USAG Redstone Arsenal to train effectively on Installation Management Command (IMCOM) core capabilities and achieve their primary training objectives.
The Full-Scale exercise provided USAG Redstone Arsenal with a critical opportunity to test and validate various emergency response and communication procedures. It significantly improved the synthesis of information from live and simulated sources, enhanced the synchronization of network communications, and ensured effective emergency response management with tenant organizations and local partners. The exercise also validated EOC operations, incident command, mass casualty (MASCAL) and fatality operations, EFAC, and evacuation procedures.
The team employed various tools to develop and distribute exercise injects and visual aids seamlessly. These tools were chosen for their ability to create necessary products, injects, and visual aids, thereby enhancing the evaluators’ and training audience’s experience.
The Externally Evaluated Exercise 2024 at USAG Redstone Arsenal was a success, showcasing ATS’s ability to lead complex training exercises that meet stringent requirements. Through several months of planning, realistic scenario development, and robust simulation support, ATS enabled the installation to achieve its training goals and improve readiness for real-world threats.
As a leader in emergency preparedness training and readiness, ATS continues to actively work to deliver innovative, experience-based disaster-preparedness exercise solutions for local, state, and federal agencies to protect communities. Preparation for disasters helps reduce panic and possible loss of life. Utilizing simulation helps these units prepare for managing multiple units during a real-life event.
