Guard, Sanford Lab Train for Emergency Response

LEAD, S.D. (AP) - National Guard soldiers and personnel from the Sanford Lab at Homestake teamed up Thursday for an emergency response training exercise.

The South Dakota National Guard's 82nd Civil Support Team and Sanford's emergency response team trained together to respond to the release of chemical, biological or radioactive agents.

The exercise was designed around a scenario in which Sanford's emergency response personnel noticed an unidentified, disturbing odor coming from the education and research building.

The 82nd dispatched its rapid response package, which includes 10 people and equipment transported by two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Sgt. Alex Raber says the team can get to a scene and have an idea of what they are dealing with before the rest of the unit's assets are on site.

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