FBI Rapid Deployment Team hosts joint exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The FBI Miami Rapid Deployment Team conducted an overnight exercise with Homestead Air Reserve Base Fire and Emergency Services members for a simulated overseas deployment on Nov. 28-29.

This training tested the readiness levels of the team in preparation for potential real-world fly away missions. In addition, the exercise enabled FBI Miami hazardous materials operators to remain proficient in the decontamination of any type of chemical hazard, and it served as refresher training for loading transport aircraft for airlift operations.

The primary mission of the RDT, located at Homestead ARB, is to provide rapid deployment capability for the FBI. The RDT is comprised of many response teams specializing in areas such as hazardous materials, evidence collection and special weapons and tactics. Teams deploy overseas to support FBI missions, which may include anything from terrorist activity to criminal activity against U.S. interests abroad such as kidnapping or when a foreign government requests assistance, said Special Agent Ismael Colon-Marquez, FBI Miami RDT coordinator.

The exercise scenario involved a simulated attack on a U.S. Embassy in South America. The attack was repelled, but attackers were able to gain access to the Embassy's air intake system and release a biological or chemical agent. Soon after, employees began to feel sick and the FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. alerted the FBI Miami RDT for mobilization.

After the initial alert, several response teams sprang into action.

FBI Miami initiated notifications of SWAT, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Evidence Response teams. The Rapid Deployment Logistics Unit (RDLU) coordinated airlift from Air Force assets transport aircraft. Meanwhile, FBI Miami loadplanners coordinated the prepping, palletizing, inspection and loading of equipment onto Air Force aircraft for the simulated deployment to ensure agents had all necessary equipment for the contingency, Special Agent Colon-Marquez said.

Special Agent Colon-Marquez also tailored the exercise to include Air Force first responders to offer extra training with hazardous materials and to gain experience. Homestead ARB Fire and Emergency Services were brought into the mix to improve interagency coordination and assist in maintaining hazardous materials readiness.

"It was awesome training, and I hope we do more joint training in the future," said Francisco Gonzalez, 482nd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services assistant team chief. "We got to see how they do things, and we smoothed out the lines of communication."

The Fire and Emergency Services team members donned protective gear and conducted hazmat protocol while securing the exercise vicinity for simulated hazardous materials and substances. The firefighters also filled in a support role in the decontamination of FBI personnel and equipment.

"We don't want to wait until an emergency to meet somebody, and we wanted to bring all the training together so we can be on the same page with Homestead first responders," Special Agent Colon-Marquez said.