Sergeant Robert Freese (left), a videographer with Atlanta’s 124th MPAD, goes over footage taken of a simulated news conference during Operation Ready Elijah with Spc. Ike Umunnah, a photojournalist with the unit. (National Guard photo by Spc. Adam Dean)

124th MPAD trains for active hurricane season

FORT GILLEM – Members of Atlanta’s 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, the Georgia Army Guard’s main public affairs unit, spent its drill weekend at this active-duty post fine-tuning their disaster preparedness skills by responding to the fictitious Hurricane Olga during training exercise Ready Elijah, Sept. 6 and 7, 2008.

The operation prepares the unit for the challenges its Soldiers may face when called on to respond to such a natural disaster, said Maj. John Alderman, the unit’s commander.

“We exercised our systems, equipment and skills in a situation that closely replicates the type of scenario we would face in an actual emergency,” said Alderman. “This training let us identify strengths and weaknesses so we can focus our future training accordingly.”

Given the recent flare-up of hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin – Gustav, Hanna and now Ike, Sgt.1st Class Roy Henry said that such training is particularly relevant.

“Should an actual hurricane make landfall in Georgia, or in one of the neighboring states, it’s very likely we’d be called upon by the governor to support other Georgia Army Guard assets,” said Henry.

In the Ready Elijah scenario, a major hurricane made landfall near Mobile, Ala. Remnants of the storm later moved into Georgia, spawning tornados that affected Fort Gillem, Forest Park and the surrounding area.

The 124th’s primary mission in such a situation would be to tell the story of Georgia Guardsmen as they mobilized to support federal, state and local officials in the wake of such a meteorological event, said Henry.

Specialist Ike Umunnah, a photojournalist with the unit, said that he thinks that this type of training is a necessity.

“Practicing our tasks and skills in a training exercise such as this is vital if we’re to maintain the level of preparedness it takes to successfully complete our mission,” said Umunnah.

In addition to taking photos, writing stories and guiding civilian media in the field, the unit grappled with logistical challenges such as setting up a media operations center and maintaining a power supply, said Sgt. Robert Freese, one of the MPAD’s videographers.

“When you actually have to go through the process of putting together a media center in the middle of nowhere, with limited resources and even less time, you have to get creative and work together to address unforeseen challenges as they arise,” said Freese.

Sergeant Dickie Padilla, also a photojournalist with the unit, said that as a result of the two-day training exercise, he feels more confident that, when it comes time to respond to an actual disaster, he and his fellow Soldiers will be that much more prepared.

“We stand ready to accomplish our mission, no matter how severe the situation. That’s what weekends like this are all about: making sure we’re ready,” said Padilla.

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