By Dave Altom
Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office

FRANKFORT, Ky.-- Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will team up with the Division of Emergency Management and other state and local agencies in conducting an emergency exercise on the campus of Midway College Aug. 5-7.

Based on an active shooter scenario, the joint operation is designed to train National Guard troops, civilian emergency managers and first responders on the procedures necessary to respond to a similar event in real life.

"The Kentucky National Guard is all about training," said Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Adjutant General for Kentucky. "When our troops aren't deploying, they support state government and local communities in times of crisis. Exercises like this are key to such collaborative efforts,” Tonini said.

Joining the Kentucky National Guard and the Division of Emergency Management will be the staff of Midway College and first responder teams from Lexington, Millville and Versailles, Ky. More than 80 Guardsmen and 170 personnel from other state and local agencies will take part in the exercise.

"While there will be a lot of activity on Midway's campus the week of the exercise, this training is worth it in the long run," said Brig. Gen. John Heltzel, Director of Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. "We are focused on the realities presented on these kinds of disasters and we want to share the training with as many agencies as possible," he said.

"Midway College proudly supports our Kentucky National Guard troops and first responders," said Midway College President William B. Drake, Jr. "We are pleased to take an active role in these exercises."

Midway College students will take an active role in the exercises through their involvement with the Homeland Security program. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Homeland Security Corporate Management and Assessment at Midway College is the first of its kind in Kentucky, and focuses on educating Homeland Security managers in a variety of fields, including the military; local, state, and federal government; and private industry. "Our students will gain invaluable knowledge through this experience," Drake said.

For more information, contact Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht at kirk.hilbrecht@us.army.mil or 502-607-1556.

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Photo by SPC Michael Pfaff/133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
The National Guard Mobile Command Vehicle (NGMCV) is used to provide voice, data, and video IT services to the Incident Commander in the field and give situation awareness to the Joint Operation Center (JOC).