FORT SILL, Okla. (June 26, 2014) -- On June 1, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery effectively took over the Fires Center of Excellence mission to operate a three-platoon quick reaction force (QRF) for the Lawton-Fort Sill region.

A QRF, generally a platoon-sized element, is an important part of a unit or installation's security measures in the event of an emergency. It is activated as a rapid response to developing critical situations.

"QRF itself is not only an exceptional idea, but also vital to any emergencies that may arise both in a deployed and garrison environment," said Pfc. Honegger Burbank, 3rd Platoon medic.

Soldiers who make up a QRF are trained to have their equipment ready and respond to any type of emergency, typically within two hours or less.

E Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3-2nd ADA received the mission and began training in March.

The first step identified three platoon leaders and platoon sergeants, and three 40-man platoons. They scheduled training for all leaders.

Specifically, platoon leaders and platoon sergeants received "train-the-trainer" classes from Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) personnel. Classes were instrumental in developing standard operating procedures, but also tactics, techniques and procedures for the platoons.

Each leader was instructed on proper search techniques, Fifth Amendment rights, crowd dynamics, customs and courtesies and force protection areas.

After the weeklong training, it was time to test what they learned by training each platoon and preparing them for validation of mission readiness. This validation process involved evaluators from E Company and DES.

First Lt. Jeremy Reed, believed the QRF training helped leaders and their Soldiers grow in terms of readiness and professional development.

"As platoon leaders and platoon sergeants, we take pride in what our enlisted Soldiers are accomplishing as team leaders and team members. From early morning recalls to running drills in the hot Oklahoma weather, they remain ready and vigilant until the end," he said.

Throughout the QRF the members performed as desired.

"Each recall and mission we have had, our Soldiers raised the bar exceeding standards and setting new goals," said Reed.