Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
POLICE TRAINING — Local law enforcement and military personnel joined forces for a training exercise at the Houlton International Airport last Wednesday.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — If you happened to spot military helicopters and Humvees escorting Houlton Police Department cruisers through town last Wednesday, don’t worry, the area was not under attack.
Local law enforcement and military personnel joined forces for a training exercise at the Houlton International Airport. The training afforded police and military representatives with the opportunity to work out any kinks in the line of communication in the event that an actual emergency occurs.
The multi-agency training event included the Maine Army National Guard’s 488th Military Police Company, Houlton Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The primary scenario involved the area being quarantined due to an outbreak of a plague. A vaccine was delivered by helicopter and escorted by police to the John Millar Civic Center, which was set up as an emergency shelter.
A side scenario involved having a vehicle attempt to gain access to the airport to steal the vaccine. A K-9 unit from the Customs and Border Patrol division was used to sniff out illegal substances in the vehicle and military police helped subdue the subject.
“Overall, I felt the training went really well,” said Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin. “I believe this is the first time the 488th worked with a civilian law enforcement agency. As the day progressed, I think we all felt more comfortable with one another and adapted quite quickly to any changes we faced in the different scenarios. I am already looking forward to having the 488th return again next year. The 488th was a pleasure to work with.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
TOUCHDOWN — Michael Fuller of the Customs and Border Patrol exits a helicopter carrying a “vaccine” as part of a military training exercise in Houlton last Wednesday.
“The training went very well,” said Sgt. 1st Class Earl Watts of the Maine Army National Guard’s 488th Military Police Company. “Even more important than the physical training was the interaction between all the different agencies. The identification of things that went well is always good, but it is far more important to identify those areas where improvement is required and the after-action review we conducted after the exercise allowed us to discuss what went well, what we would like to improve and, perhaps most importantly, what the road forward will look like.”
Watts added one of the most positive things that came from the exercise was that the military police were able to put their training to use.
“Earlier in the week the MP’s spent an entire day at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy working with the State Police,” he said. “The exercise allowed them to use that training and put it into practice thus building upon the training and reinforcing it. Additionally, organic communications assets that have been underutilized were given a workout during this exercise and there was a significant amount of cross training between the sections within the Rear Detachment which provides for redundancy and makes the team stronger.”
