National Guard Counterdrug Program Airmen and Soldiers came to the nation’s capital to support Vital Guardian, the Guard’s first critical-capabilities exercise.

The major training exercise, held last week, tested the Guard’s ability to respond to a devastating event, such as a terrorist attack with a weapon of mass destruction.

“We are here performing a realistic mission, doing exactly what we would do if something catastrophic like that were to happen,” said Chief Warrant Officer Dave, a pilot in the National Guard.

Because of the nature of their missions, the National Guard does not release full names and duty locations of some counterdrug personnel to safeguard them and their families.

The Counterdrug Program falls under the Guard’s Domestic Operations Division, which led the exercise.

Both the security and support battalion’s OH-58 helicopters and RC-26B fixed-wing airplanes provided real-time aerial observation of the affected area with thermal imaging cameras. Video imaging of the site was down-linked to the incident commander to provide situational awareness. High-resolution digital photos and video were later provided from the airplane.

Tech. Sgt. Brent’s pivotal role in the exercise was to ensure the data downlink system was operational.

“Basically, I am an image collector and disseminator,” Brent said. “We can have this equipment operational before the aircraft is even up in the air.”

The counterdrug people worked with Virginia’s 34th Civil Support Team and the day’s exercise went well, Sergeant Brent said.

Support from the counterdrug programs included three helicopters, two RC-26B planes and one light armored vehicle, or LAV. The LAV is an eight-wheeled vehicle used to drive emergency responders into the affected areas. It can also be used to communicate with law enforcement agencies. Other counterdrug personnel assumed the roles of protesters and victims during the exercise.

"We learned how we can better support some of the other domestic operation’s assets available in the states," said Lt. Col. Colleen Chipper, Virginia’s Counterdrug Program coordinator and team leader for the exercise.

A counterdrug display from National Guard Bureau as well as D.C.’s Drug Demand Reduction Program and digital mapping assets were on exhibit during the training exercise.

“It was a great experience to see the states come together,” Colonel Chipper said. “We were able to respond relatively quickly and become seamless.”