MO National Guard Tests Disaster Preparedness

First posted on 10-15-2007

Operation Cracked Earth was the center of attention for Missouri National Guard troops over the weekend. The training exercise was designed to test communications systems in the event of a major earthquake along the New Madrid fault line.

Stretching from southern Illinois to northeast Arkansas, the New Madrid fault produced a massive earthquake in 1811 in what was then a sparsely inhabited area of the country. Although the Richter scale had not been developed at that time, estimates based on accounts of the era place the series of quakes at 7.0 on the scale. A quake of that magnitude in the same place today would cause extensive damage.

While the fault does produce hundreds of tremors every year, most are too small to detect except with seismographic equipment. However, some experts warn that the New Madrid fault could someday erupt with another large earthquake.

The exercises that began on Friday were mostly concluded by Sunday. They took place in St. Louis, Poplar Bluff and Jefferson City.

Col. Paul Rusinko of the 35th Engineer Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood said the idea of these exercises was to “confirm capabilities and look at any shortcomings” of the guard’s disaster plan.

“If a 6.5 or greater earthquake would hit in Missouri, both the Army and the Air National Guard would work together to support civil authorities,” he said. “The state felt it was important to test communication strategies because the Guard will be one of the first military responders.”

Effective communications is key during times of disaster and the guard made use of mobile satellite communications systems during the weekend event. They also tested backup generator capabilities in the event of power outages during disasters.

The training was conducted as part of the national Guard’s civilian soldier duties.