FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers with the 35th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Emergency Response Force Package conducted a CBRN response exercise here Sept. 2-3, 2026.
The purpose of the exercise was to train Soldiers to learn how to rescue people from a collapsed or damaged structure while preventing further collapse and mitigating chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear hazards.
The training focused on search and extraction, structural stabilization and decontamination as part of a crawl-walk-run approach.
Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Johnson, a noncommissioned officer with the 35th CERFP, said his experience with the team has provided opportunities to serve communities across Pennsylvania in a variety of missions.
“I am actually a combat engineer at the 856th Engineering Company on drill weekends, and I was first voluntold to do this, and then I fell in love with it,” said Johnson.
Johnson said the unit’s capabilities have extended beyond search and extraction and decontamination.
“We are not just all about search and extraction and decontamination," Johnson said. "We traveled all over the state and did fit testing for nurses in hospitals and long-term care facilities. We were able to assist to the best of our abilities. We have our hands in a lot of different things, and we are able to assist in a lot of different elements around the state whenever we are called.
“Due to all those that volunteered, we actually set up the first mobile testing site in the state of Pennsylvania during COVID,” Johnson added. “That is something we are definitely proud to be able to do.”
The mission extends beyond simply finding and removing casualties. Training emphasizes how responders can navigate collapsing structures, work efficiently through hazardous environments and communicate with other response teams.
Staff Sgt. Ann Marie Rosario, a CBRN specialist with the 128th Chemical Company, served on Operational Support orders with the 35th CERFP and helped lead decontamination training during the exercise.
“I’ve been doing this since 2017, so I’d say I’m pretty experienced in it,” said Rosario. “I’ve been through all of the lanes, so I’m able to teach them.”
For Rosario, the experience has also helped shape her professional interests outside of the military and with the CERFP in supporting her educational goals.
“It allowed me to grow a love for chemistry and some interest in biology," Rosario said. "I’m a year in now, getting my bachelor’s in emergency management because of this. The hands-on nature of the training is one of the aspects that makes the CERFP mission different from a typical drill weekend.”
Training scenarios incorporated role players dressed as casualties, allowing Soldiers to practice responding to people experiencing realistic injuries and distress while moving through the decontamination process.
“Not only is it a bit more real, but the Soldiers are actually getting that hands-on repetition that could possibly help us out if there’s ever any form of incident,” Rosario said. “The training prepares Soldiers to respond to a variety of emergencies and provides capabilities that can be used throughout the Commonwealth."
Through realistic training, hands-on repetition and a willingness to support communities beyond traditional military missions, the Pennsylvania National Guard continues to build its ability to respond when emergencies occur. It also helps reinforce their motto Always Ready, Always There.