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Despite the heavy mist and scattered showers, members of the
Texas Military Department, state and local law enforcement officers,
first responders, volunteer services and veteran support
organizations turned out for the Texas Military Department's Open
House weekend featuring the American Heroes Show at Camp Mabry in
Austin, Texas April 16, 2016.
The free public event showcased
a wide variety of demonstrations, reenactments, static displays, an
80 percent replica of the Vietnam War memorial, vendors and family
fun events focused on the continued partnership between the various
State and local civil services and the Texas Military Department.
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Texas Guardsmen conduct a tactical demonstration during the 10th
annual Texas Military Department's Open House featuring the American
Heroes Air Show at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, April 16, 2016. The
event showcases the Texas Military Department and various state and
local law enforcement agencies, first responders, volunteer services
and veteran support organizations. The free two day event featured
the Traveling Vietnam Wall, a naturalization ceremony for members of
all military branches, World War II and Vietnam reenactments, the
Missing in America Project, local first responder demonstrations, a
JROTC Drill competition and numerous vendors. (U.S. Army National
Guard photo by Spc. Christina Clardy)
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“This is our 10th year to put on this event in partnership with
the Texas Military Department,” said Austin Police Cpl. Wut
Tantaksinanukij, this year's American Heroes Show co-director. “It's
a great community event for the citizens here, who many don't even
realize that there is a military base in the center of Austin, and
they don't realize that it is open to the public.”
The Austin
Police Department shares a long partnership with Camp Mabry and the
service men and women of the Texas Military Department. Together,
they share in numerous training and real-life reactionary situations
that allow the two departments the opportunity to learn from one
another and to gain a deep understanding of how their counterparts
operate.
“We have a great working relationship with the folks
here at Camp Mabry and the Texas Military Department, and have for a
great many years,” said Tantaksinanukij. “There are all different
types of emergency scenarios that could bring us together. With
continued training and partnership, we will have a professional
resolution to any situations that arise.”
The Texas Military
Department, as part of the Defense Support to Civilian Authorities,
has mobilized 24,000 guardsmen in support of federal, state and
local law enforcement and first responders in more than 183 natural
and man-made disasters since 2001. These include wildfires, flash
floods, winter weather, hurricanes and law enforcement.
Many
officers from the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department
and Austin Emergency Medical Services train frequently with their
counterparts from the Texas Military Department on the joint Texas
Task Force-1. According to their mission statement, the task force
is one of 28 federal teams under the Federal Emergency Management
Agency's National Urban Search and Rescue System and the Texas
Division of Emergency Management.“
During natural disasters, state governments call on many federal
and state response agencies to assist local first responders,” said
Senior Lt. Kurt Rothert, Austin Police
Department Special
Operations unit, during the police and military tactics
demonstration. “In Texas, a specialized partnership exists between
the Texas Military Department and the most active urban search and
rescue team in the country, Texas Task Force 1.”
This Urban
Search and Rescue Task Force has more than 600 members including
doctors, first responders, military counterparts, structural
engineers, canine handlers, professors and experts throughout many
different fields. In addition, the Texas Military Department
partners with Task Force-1 providing water response capabilities and
aviation response teams.
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Members of the community speak with local first responders and
check out rescue helicopters during the 10th annual Texas Military
Department's Open House featuring the American Heroes Air Show at
Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, April 16, 2016. The event showcases the
Texas Military Department and various state and local law
enforcement agencies, first responders, volunteer services and
veteran support organizations. The free two day event featured the
Traveling Vietnam Wall, a naturalization ceremony for members of all
military branches, World War II and Vietnam reenactments, the
Missing in America Project, local first responder demonstrations, a
JROTC Drill competition and numerous vendors. (U.S. Army National
Guard photo by Spc. Christina Clardy)
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“As part of Task Force 1, I work with the Texas Military
Department on a monthly basis,” said Austin Fire Department
Lt. Matt McElearney, Company Officer for Engine 32. “For
example, we train with the National Guard's helicopter units
using their hoists for rescue missions, such as water rescue
where people may be stuck in their houses, on a car or in a
tree during a flood or emergency situation.”
Despite
the weather, more than 5,900 people visited the Open House.
“The weather didn't cooperate with us
this year but we are excited and already planning for next
year,” said Tantaksinanukij. “It's exciting for us to
showcase what we do on a public side of the house through
the Austin Police Department, the Austin Fire Department,
the Austin EMS, and show some of our other skills sets that
we have to offer to keep our community safe. But also to
show how the Texas Military Department and the Austin Police
Department play two different roles, and how we integrate
those two components in our partnership.”
By U.S. Army National Guard Spc. Christina Clardy
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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