Great Falls Military Personnel to Participate in Antiterrorism Training

During the month of May, residents and travelers of Montana's largest city shouldn't be alarmed with the abundance of military personnel within the area.  Billings, Montana is set to welcome a new training exercise for the month, and most branches of the military will be represented during it.

via GIPHY

The Montana Air National Guard and other miliary divisions are hoping the new antiterrorism exercise will help both residents of Montana and military members by "enhancing readiness and strengthening coordination with local, state, and federal partners."

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Great Falls Military Personnel to Participate in Antiterrorism Training

The antiterrorism exercise by MANG is "routine readiness training conducted statewide to ensure rapid, coordinated response during emergencies."  It will also "evaluate preparedness, refine emergency protocols, and improve interoperability between military and civilian agencies — all essential to protecting Montana communities" according to MANG.

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The simulation exercise during the month will take place at the Billings Armed Forces Reserve Center.  The "complex security incident" at the center allows for "service members and first responders the opportunity to practice real‑time decision‑making, communication, and threat‑response procedures."

Antiterrorism Exercise Includes Military and Law Enforcement from Across Montana

The exercise will include several military installations and divisions from Montana and law enforcement agencies.  Those included for training include:

• Montana Army National Guard
• Navy Reserve Center Billings
• Billings Police Department Bomb Squad
• Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Montana Air National Guard 120th Explosive Ordnance Disposal
• 341st Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Malmstrom AFB
• Local emergency responders and community partners

The Montana Air National guard wants to remind everyone this will only be an exercise, and that "residents may notice increased emergency vehicle activity and military personnel in the area during the exercise. All activities are planned, controlled, and strictly for training purposes."