Soldiers from the 46th Military Police Command train to respond to a major domestic incident in the United States during exercise Vibrant Response 17. (Michigan National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Helen Miller/Released)
Story written by Sgt. 1st Class Helen Miller, JFHQ Public Affairs
LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Army National Guard‘s 46th Military Police Command trains to respond to a major domestic incident in the United States during exercise Vibrant Response 17. Vibrant Response 17 is a major training exercise conducted by U.S. Northern Command and led by U.S. Army North. The training will confirm the operational readiness and tactical capabilities of major elements of the Department of Defense’s specialized forces designed to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents in support of local, state and federal civilian agencies.
The Lansing-based 46th MP Command is a two-star command that provides command and control over National Guard units from around the country. The Department of Defense assigned the 46th with this national mission. In the event of a catastrophic disaster military forces would support response efforts across the nation; local officials and first responders always lead in a crisis and, if local and state capabilities are overwhelmed, federal assistance can be requested.
This training is intended to qualify Soldiers of the 46th on the critical tasks of managing and coordinating lifesaving and life-sustaining support to civilian authorities. This initial training will allow the unit to work alongside various other military and civilian counterparts from around the country during additional rigorous training exercises in the coming months.
“This force is the only one of its kind and is comprised of National Guard forces from around the country,” said Brig. Gen. Michael T. White, commander, 46th Military Police Command. “I could not be more proud of the men and women in the 46th MP Command for being selected for this mission.”
“Of course we hope to never have to do this mission, but exercises like Vibrant Response prove that the 46th MP Command is fully prepared to provide command and control if we are ever needed,” said White.