TOPOFF 3

An Airman with the 139th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron evaluates a patient for an LC-130 Hercules flight during the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Top Officials 3 exercise. The exercise was one of five full-scale, congressionally directed, weapons of mass destruction exercises taking place throughout Connecticut and New Jersey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith)

By Staff Sgt. Mike R. Smith
109th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y.  -- More than 20 guardsmen from the Scotia-based 109th Airlift Wing here returned home from Newark Airport, N.J., on April 7 after participating in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Top Officials 3 exercise.

Medics from the 139th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and an LC-130 Hercules flight crew with the 139th Air Group provided medical staging and simulated medical airlift in one of five full-scale, congressionally directed, weapons of mass destruction exercises taking place throughout Connecticut and New Jersey.

The medics worked with local civilian responders, law enforcement and emergency medics to process more than 70 patient volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, said Lt. Col. Mary Brandt, 139th AES commander. The patients were prepared and evaluated for C-130 airlift from a temporary medical staging facility setup in an aircraft hangar. Additionally, the group provided training on various aeromedical systems.

The one-day exercise included a simulated biological attack with resulting injuries spreading to nearby counties.

As part of the exercise, people in New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., conducted a planned scenario, Homeland Security officials said.

A total of 10,000 people from 27 federal agencies, and more than 200 government as well as private sector organizations participated, said Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security secretary.