Soldiers train to protect North America from terrorist attacks

By MC1(SW/AW) Joaquin JuataiDecember 19, 2006

Soldiers train to protect North America from terrorist attacks
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Dec. 19, 2006) - Canadian and U.S. Soldiers and other personnel participated in an exercise involving multiple simulated attacks against the military and state and federal agencies throughout North America Dec. 4-14.

Held at locations throughout North America, Exercise Vigilant Shield '07 was sponsored by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Strategic Command.

Scenarios included such threats and disasters as the crash of an Air Force C-17 aircraft transporting nuclear weapons, ships approaching North America with potentially hostile intentions and threats against military bases.

Among the participants were Soldiers at Fort Greely, Alaska, who were subjected to a simulated terrorist attack.

"Only a select group of people knew what was going to happen, how it was going to happen and when it would happen," said Capt. Brian Murphy, 100th Missile Defense Brigade.

"It was a good exercise and helped to open our eyes to areas we need to fix," said Staff Sgt. Shawn Aubrecht, a military policeman at Fort Greely.

(This story was compiled from articles released by U.S. Army Alaska and U.S. Northern Command.)