In support of a concerted effort to enhance cross-border disaster response, members of Applied Training Solutions, LLC, participated in Fuerzas Amigas 2024 (FA24) from June 21 to June 27 at Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
This significant Security Cooperation and Disaster Response Exercise, coordinated with Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) Region II, underscored the commitment of both nations to prepare for natural disasters collaboratively.
The scenario for FA24 was both challenging and realistic: a hypothetical 7.6 magnitude earthquake striking the East Franklin Mountains Fault on June 22. The simulated quake resulted in severe shaking and extensive damage across El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.
In this simulation, over 2.3 million people and numerous buildings were affected by the heavy shaking, particularly unreinforced masonry structures within a 15-mile radius of the fault line, suffering major damage or collapse.
The disaster’s aftermath was chaotic, with El Paso and Ciudad Juarez isolated from each other due to significant damage to roadways, bridges, and overpasses. The scenario included hundreds of thousands of residents without homes or essential services. More than a thousand fires, fueled by broken gas mains, ravaged the region, merging into larger conflagrations that consumed entire city blocks. The disruption extended to the vital El Paso port of entry, halting cross-border traffic and significantly impacting the economies of both the United States and Mexico, which rely on this port for nearly $100 billion in annual trade.
ATS played a crucial role in the exercise by providing the ATSsim Training constructive simulation environment under the Risk Mitigation Modeling and Simulation (RMM&S) contract. This advanced simulation tool effectively replicated the All-Hazards Defense Support to Civil Authorities activities, allowing for detailed training and preparedness. ATS personnel were also instrumental in scripting, and role-playing elements of the higher headquarters of Federal and State partners under the Joint Chief of Staff Training and Exercise Subject Matter Expert sub-contract from Amentum.
The technology suite supporting FA24 included the cloud based ATSsim, known for its capability to replicate Force Flow and track friendly forces within the Joint Operations Area. ATSsim seamlessly integrated with COP tools like Palantir, APAN, and JADC2, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the exercise.
The outcomes of Fuerzas Amigas 2024 were promising. The U.S. and Mexican military forces demonstrated a high level of coordination and preparedness for natural disaster response. All personnel and equipment were safely redeployed, ensuring readiness for future mission execution.
As a leader in emergency preparedness training and readiness, ATS continues to deliver innovative, experience-based disaster-preparedness exercises and solutions for local, state, and federal agencies to protect communities.
