Minnesota Guard Scheduled to Train Aboard U.S. Coast Guard Vessel

October 18, 2012
Courtesy of Minnesota National Guard
St. Paul, MN, United States

The Minnesota National Guard's 55th Civil Support Team is scheduled to conduct a maritime operations training exercise in Duluth, MN.

"The 55th Civil Support Team requested to respond to an incident at Duluth's harbor to increase their ability to respond to diverse scenarios in different environments," said Army Major Thomas J. Krenz, the 55th Civil Support Team's deputy commander.

"We're working in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard, FBI, Duluth Fire Department, Department of Energy, Homeland Security, Emergency Management and Essentia Health," said Krenz. "The exercise scenario will take place on the retired U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sundew."

"Last year, the 55th Civil Support Team assisted local, state and federal agencies on 14 occasions, including a high-profile mission supporting the Minnesota Department of Health involving a confirmed case of inhalation anthrax," said Krenz. "We continually train with interagencies to identify, assess, advise and assist in the detection and analysis of weapons of mass destruction."

Members of the media are invited to observe the exercise, which is scheduled for Oct. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The Sundew is docked in the vicinity of Railroad Street and South Eighth Avenue West in Duluth. Exercise participants will be available for interview. If you would like to attend, RSVP to Army Major Kristen L. Auge at kristen.auge@us.army.mil or 651-268-8961.