A Georgia National Guard member takes aim during training at Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

Civil Support Team Gets Realistic with its Training

Members of Georgia's 4th Civil Support Team recently participated in training made realistic through the use of live explosives. 

In a far corner of Marietta's Dobbins Air Reserve Base, yet still within earshot of the traffic on Cobb Parkway, explosions rocked the otherwise dormant firearms range hidden behind the base's active runway. There, explosives technicians rigged surgically placed explosives that did little more than blast a makeshift door off of its hinges. Just steps away, behind a 6-foot high knoll, several ounces of C-4 plastic explosive was used to blow a crater more than 3-foot deep in the ground. 

It was all part of an annual familiarizations and evaluation exercise conducted by CST. The exercise also the team a look at the latest in non-lethal firearms ammunition, advanced tools and entry equipment and techniques, and an assortment of high tech equipment and gadgetry that have applications in the military and civilian law enforcement communities.

During the three-day exercise CST members trained along side those of the Calhoun SWAT team, Gordon County Fire Department, Dalton Police, Chatsworth Fire Department, the U.S. Air Marshals Service and explosive ordnance disposal technicians from the Air Force's 94th EOD.

"This is an unusual opportunity for our people and local law enforcement to become familiar with, and experience, some of the most advanced tools available to our trades", said Maj. Jeff Allen, 4th CST commander. "Although the use of live explosives is rare as it relates to the CST mission, team members need to be familiar with the kinds of explosives available to our 'adversaries' and their specific uses." 

Much of the hands-on training was conducted by members of National Security Associates of Warner Robins. National Security has contracts to train military and civilian law enforcement agencies throughout the region.

Included in the demonstration was non-lethal ammunition that looked like a miniature beanbag. This innovative ammo is designed to stop or immobilize a subject at close range. Also, a 10,000-pound cargo trailer was easily lifted with an inflatable bag no larger than a regular size balloon, and two 1,200-pounf concrete obstacles were separated by an inflatable plate no larger that a sandwich, Allen said. One of the tools that team members used was a torch that sliced effortlessly through a one-inch steel bar at a temperature of more than 3,000 degrees. 

"While not all of this equipment is available to us," Allen said, "we need to know what's out there and how to use those resources."