US National Guard
National Guard Assists Boston Authorities with Bomb Expertise
By: Mickey McCarter
When bombs blew up near the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday, the Massachusetts National Guard already was onsite.
More than 400 National Guardsmen were stationed along the route to assist state and local authorities with security and logistics in support of the marathon before two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated around 2:50 pm.
Boston authorities quickly turned to the Massachusetts National Guard for assistance once the attack occurred.
"We offer our deepest sympathy and prayers to the victims of the explosions in Boston today. We are here to assist the Boston Police and provide additional support as it is requested," said Brig. Gen. Paul Smith, the land component commander of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, in a statement.
Prior to the bombing, the National Guard was helping to keep the 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton, Mass., to Boston clear for the marathon's 27,000 registered runners.
Before the explosions, Lt. Col. Mark Merlino explained the Guard's role at the marathon.
"We are here at the request of our civilian partners to assist the local police and other emergency responders with public safety support," said Merlino, commander of the 79th Troop Command, Massachusetts Army National Guard, in a statement. "The Boston Marathon is one event that we proudly serve each year in concert with local, state and federal agencies. We always use these opportunities to help strengthen our relationships with fellow emergency response agencies. Our guardsmen really seem to enjoy interacting with crowds of people who come to enjoy the marathon."
Once the bombing killed three and injured more than 140 others, the National Guard was in position to assist Boston Police and other civil authorities immediately.
The Army National Guard kept more than 400 guardsmen on location to assist. None of the guardsmen at the marathon were among the injured.
The Guard activated the 211th Military Police Battalion to provide security. Guard units assisted with logistics in party by arranging transportation like buses and helicopters to move people and supplies.
In addition to the two IEDs that exploded in the apparent terrorist attack, the Wall Street Journal reported Boston Police uncovered five additional unexploded bombs. The National Guard called in its own units with expertise in handling explosives to assist.
Those units included the Massachusetts National Guard's 387th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). Massachusetts also called up its National Guard Civil Support Team (CST), which consists of 22 members specializing in dealing with weapons of mass destruction.
The states of New York, New Hampshire and Rhode Island sent additional personnel from their own CST teams to help.
The National Guard Bureau sent the 267th Combat Communications Squadron's Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC) to facilitate communications between first responders and others who may require computers or telephones. The self-contained JISCC does not require local infrastructure to connect various military or police units.
Link:
http://www.hstoday.us/channels/us-national-guard/single-article-page/national-guard-assists-boston-authorities-with-bomb-expertise.html
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