76TH OPERATIONAL RESPONSE COMMAND

Soldiers from the 300th Chemical Company, 355th Medical Company (Area Support) (MCAS), and local authorities participated in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) exercise scenario to test their readiness, combat skills, and overall effectiveness in reconnaissance, decontamination and triage patients during an imminent biological attack at Morgantown, W. Va, Aug 8-9, 2024. Five organizations, including UASRNORTH, WVU Medicine, the fire department, the police department, and MECCA-911, supported the CBRN exercise. CBRN Soldiers were crucial in detecting, identifying, and responding to biological threats. They deployed detection equipment to monitor for airborne pathogens, collect and analyze samples, and assess the extent of contamination. In addition, 355th MCAS Soldiers provided medical support during the CBRN exercise scenario. MCAS Soldiers' collaboration involved setting decontamination stations, treating casualties exposed to hazardous materials, and ensuring the health and safety of personnel engaged in CBRN missions. (U.S. Army Reserve video by Sgt. Giovanny Lopez)

Soldiers from 76th ORC brigades participated in Red Dragon 24 to improve their readiness, combat skills, and overall effectiveness in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) operations at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, June 12-26, 2024. This premiere training experience was supported by 17 different organizations and was a success overall. Our CBRN Warriors train to detect threats, decontaminate personnel, equipment, and military vehicles. Soldiers use Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST), M50 protective masks, decontamination sets and chemical detectors, to conduct missions to collect soil and air samples to identify harmful agents.

Deputy Commanding General for the 76th Operational Response Command, Brig. Gen. Sonya Powell and the Emergency Management Planning Coordinator for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office, Corbin Hyland discusses the value of partnership across government agencies during the Vista Forge Exercise 2024 to prepare for response if a large, natural or man-made disaster was to occur in the United States. (Video by Spc. Hubert Escarpeta, Edited by Sgt. Giovanny Lopez)

Three U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 415th and 455th Chemical Brigades, under the 76th Operational Response Command, share their experiences as competitors in the 2024 Division Best Squad Competition (BSC) on March 13, 2024, at Ft. Hunter Liggett, Calif. The competitors consider the BSC an excellent way to evaluate their strengths and how to improve themselves working in a team environment. The 2024 Division Best Squad Competition (BSC), formerly the Best Warrior Competition (BWC), is an event to select the highest performing competitors and squads to later compete in the annual U.S. Army Reserve Best Squad Competition. The competition, hosted by the 63rd Readiness Division, took place at Camp Parks, Calif. and Ft. Hunter Liggett, Calif., from March 6-13, 2024 and included competing Soldiers from across ten Army Reserve commands. The BSC is designed to test the cohesion and proficiency of Army squads, competing in a series of collective and individual tasks to earn the title, “Best Squad.” (U.S. Army Reserve video by Sgt. Giovanny Lopez)

Command Sgt. Maj. Jason E. Goodman, Command Sergeant Major, 76th Operational Response Command, discusses the importance of Soldiers participating in the 2024 Division Best Squad Competition (BSC) on March 11, 2024, at Ft. Hunter Liggett, Calif. Goodman considers the competition an excellent opportunity for Soldiers to embrace the squad concept and practice their warrior tasks and skills as a team. The 2024 Division Best Squad Competition (BSC), formerly the Best Warrior Competition (BWC), was hosted by the 63rd Readiness Division and held at Camp Parks, Calif. and Ft. Hunter Liggett, Calif. from March 6-13, 2024. The event included competing Soldiers from across ten Army Reserve commands. The BSC is designed to test the cohesion and proficiency of our squads, competing in a series of collective and individual tasks to earn the title, “Best Squad.” The highest performing competitors and squads are then selected to compete in the annual Army Reserve Best Squad Competition, which will include winners from all the various command level competitions.