1 Board of County Commissioners Agenda Request Date of Meeting: March 4, 2014 Date Submitted: February 17, 2014 To: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board From: Joe Kruchas, Exercise Planner USSOCOM RMT-CC Subject: County Commissioners Briefing & Request to Conduct Realistic Military Training by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) ISO Emerald Warrior 14 Statement of Issue: This agenda item seeks Board approval to conduct military training ISO Emerald Warrior 14 within County jurisdiction April 28, 2014 – May 8, 2014. Background: The United States Special Operations Command seeks written invitation/approval from local officials to execute a military Realistic Military Training (RMT) concept within our jurisdiction in support of joint military exercise EMERALD WARRIOR-14 (EW 14). Exercise Planner Joe Kruchas will be presenting information relating to this exercise to the Board. USSOCOM conducted a similar training exercise in our jurisdiction in 2012. Fiscal Impact: The County will not experience a fiscal impact in relation to this agenda request. Options: 1. Invite and Approve the USSOCOM to conduct realistic military training in Gadsden County on April 28, 2014 through May 8, 2014 and authorize the Chairman to execute the related letter of invitation. 2. Do not invite / approve the USSOCOM to conduct realistic military training in Gadsden County on April 28, 2014 through May 8, 2014. 3. Board Direction County Administrator's Recommendation: Option 1 Attachments: 1. USSOCOM Presentation 2. Invitation / Approval Letter to the USSOCOM Page 2 of 16 UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND & AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Request to Conduct Realistic Military Training (RMT) ISO EMERALD WARRIOR 14 Presented by Mr Joe Kruchas USSOCOM Exercise Planner Page 3 of 16 Purpose Commander, USSOCOM FMD/ JCT seeks written invitation/approval from local officials to execute a military Realistic Military Training (RMT) concept within your jurisdiction in support of joint military exercise EMERALD WARRIOR-14 (EW 14). Page 4 of 16 What is EMERALD WARRIOR • EMERALD WARRIOR is a Joint military and interagency (IA) exercise designed to better prepare our military forces to prosecute the global war on terrorism and assist our interagency partners in the protection of the United States from enemies foreign and domestic. • EW 14 will be conducted in three phases: – – – • SOCSOUTH GA13 15-22 November 2013 NSWG4 RA Exercise 13-24 January 2014 EW 14 21 April – 2 May 2014 Participants: - Army - Navy - Air Force -DEA - Diplomatic Security Service - Department of Homeland Security - Marines • Calhoun, Gulf, Franklin, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Gadsden Counties • Apalachicola, Blountstown, Tallahassee and Panama City Page 5 of 16 Emerald Warrior 14 Environment Fort Carson, CO Page 6 of 16 What is RMT • Realistic Military Training (RMT) is training conducted outside of federally owned property. The RMT process is designed to ensure proper coordination is conducted between DOD representatives and local authorities. The process includes the following coordination measures: – Risk assessment, medical and communications plan – MOU, MOA and Licensing agreements (training areas, staging areas, role players) – Environmental Impact Study (Coordination with US and State Forestry) – Legal review – ID of training, staging areas, role players, airfield, drop zones (DZ) and Landing Zones (LZ) surveys – Letters of Invitations obtained from local officials (Mayor, County Commission) – Coordination with local, state and federal law enforcement – Public Affairs review Page 7 of 16 Emerald Warrior RMT Geometry 80 NM Hurlburt Field Page 8 of 16 Why the North Florida Area • In order to hone advanced individual, collective skills Military Forces and Inter Agency (IA) require a unique environment. The proposed areas offer the environmental settings conducive to quality training because it provides a number of real obstacles to challenge Joint and IA personnel during planning and execution of their assigned missions. These challenges include: – – – – – • In the past United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has conducted numerous exercises within the North Florida area. – – – • Operating outside the normal realms of support Adapting to changing situations Operating in and around communities where anything out the ordinary will be spotted and reported (Locals are the first ones to notice something out of place) Unique human terrain factors The ability to work with civilian, who aren’t familiar with the military, in order to gain their trust and an understanding of the issues they face CJTFEX 2004 (Coalition and US SOF) EMERALD WARRIOR 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 NSWG4 RA Exercise 2013 Proximity to organic SOF assets – – Close enough where units don’t have to deploy, saving tax payer money Distance between Eglin AFB and the Four-County area replicate real world flying requirements Page 9 of 16 EW Impact on the Area • Direct impact on the preparation of forces prior to going into harms way • Over 1,000 service members have participated in the Emerald Warrior RMT events • All participants deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn and/or multiple contingency military operations throughout the world • Funding identified for this portion of the exercise will go straight into the economy in the way of leasing of training areas, staging areas, role players, food, fuel, lodging, and materials for exercise participants. • The past Emerald Warrior exercises has resulted in approximately $250,000.00 per exercise going back into the local economy. Page 10 of 16 What to Expect • Increase of military ground, air and maritime traffic – May receive noise complaints – Federally Licensed Pyrotechnique operators will be utilized in various scenarios • 100-200 military personnel operating throughout the Eight-county area in both rural and urban environments – Personnel may be carrying weapons with blank ammo – Some will be wearing civilian attire and driving civilian vehicles Page 11 of 16 Safety/Security • Safety for civilians and exercise participants is our number one priority – – – – – – – – – – – Daily communications between DOD and LEA Medics located with each element Coordination with Life Flight and local medical facilities Exercise Support Team Smart Book Thorough Risk Assessment Police cordon of target areas during Direct Action scenarios SPOT GPS tracker with each element Coordination with local residents (verbal and written) Fire conditions reviewed prior to each scenario Fire extinguisher and other equipment located at each site • Security – Quiet Professionals – Request no media coverage – Dedicated Public Affair Officer and lawyer on site Page 12 of 16 QUESTIONS CONCERNS Page 13 of 16 Contact Information • Mr. Jeff Mason Director of Training WK: 813-489-5136 e-mail: [email protected] • Mr. Tony Perez RMT Lead Planner Visual Awareness Technologies and Consulting WK: 813-826-7048 Cell: 813-777-5488 e-mail: [email protected] • Mr. Joseph Kruchas RMT Operations Planner Visual Awareness Technologies and Consulting WK: 813-826-3147 e-mail: [email protected] • Mr . Vic Ayala RMT Operations Planner Visual Awareness Technologies and Consulting WK: 850-7585414 e-mail: [email protected] Page 14 of 16 COMMISSIONERS: ERIC F. HINSON District 1 DOUGLAS M. CROLEY District 2 GENE MORGAN District 3 BRENDA A. HOLT District 4 SHERRIE D. TAYLOR District 5 GADSDEN COUNTY Board of County Commissioners EDWARD J. BUTLER GADSDEN COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL COMPLEX ROBERT PRESNELL County Administrator DEBORAH S. MINNIS County Attorney March 4, 2014 Commander, USSOCOM FMD/JCT BLDG# 501 MacDill, FL 33621 Via: Mr. Joseph Kruchas Exercise Planner United States Special Operations Command FMD/JCT MacDill, FL 33621 Dear Sir: On the behalf of the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, you and the men of the United States Special Operations Command are hereby cordially invited to conduct military training ISO Emerald Warrior 14 within our jurisdiction from 28 April – 8 May 2014. I fully understand from Mr. Kruchas’ presentation that this training will involve ground and mobility operations, which may include the use of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. I further understand and appreciate that this training has been coordinated through and approved by local law enforcement agencies and all affected property owners. 9-B East Jefferson Street ٠P. O. Box 179 ٠Quincy, Florida ٠ 32353-1799٠ (850) 875-8650 ٠ (850) 875-8655 FAX www.gadsdencountyfl.gov Page 15 of 16 Gadsden County is pleased to support United States Special Operations Forces as they develop the techniques and tactics necessary to defend United States interests around the globe. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Commissioner Eric F. Hinson Chairman EFH/sh 9-B East Jefferson Street ٠P. O. Box 179 ٠Quincy, Florida ٠ 32353-1799٠ (850) 875-8650 ٠ (850) 875-8655 FAX www.gadsdencountyfl.gov Page 16 of 16