Anti-terrorism exercise held on Camp Pendleton

Marines, sailors and civilians combined efforts and training June 20 at Camp Pendleton while executing an exercise designed to improve the delivery of emergency services in response to a chemical, biological or nuclear incident on base. In this particular incident, a tanker truck containing a simulated load of chlorine gas was attacked by terrorists.

The base’s Incident Response Team participated in the drill, “VICTOR WEST ’07.” The anti-terrorism and force protection test was specifically designed to evaluate plans and procedures in case of a terrorist attack.

From evaluating new equipment to the ability to coordinate the delivery of emergency services between a variety of local, state and federal agencies observing and participating, there seemed to be agreement that it was not all smooth sailing. However, the training was reportedly very successful at illuminating the crisis response programs’ strengths and weaknesses.