The Virgin Islands National Guard 23rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) and the Detachment 1, Delta Company 1-114th Medical Aviation unit will conduct a joint training on the proper utilization of smoke and hand signals to safely land a Lakota Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopter at 9:50 a.m. at Cramer’s Park on St. Croix on Sept. 13.
The 23rd WMD CST is a 22-person team, equipped to provide chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear support to local responder agencies during natural and man-made incidents.
Over the past year, the 23d WMD CST has successfully completed ten training exercises both on and off island. The unit was also activated to support the vice president of the U.S., as he vacationed with his family on the island of St. Croix.
In November 2011, the VING received two Lakota Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopters. These aircrafts give the territory a congressional mandated aero-medical capability that was never available before. The Medical Aviation Unit is trained and equipped to extract injured individuals in areas where medical support ground vehicles are unable to go or in situations where fast medical intervention is required to save life or limb.
Both units are unique resources within the territory. The training is designed to prepare both units to better serve the territory and the nation.
For additional information on the training, contact Capt. Aesha Rivers, commander of the 23rd WMD-CST, at 712-8051, or 2LT Kirk Rojas, Public Affairs Officer, at 332-5541.
