Applied Training Solutions, LLC (ATS) supported the successful execution of Iron Response 2024, a full-scale exercise held at Fort Bliss, Texas, on August 21, 2024. As the prime contractor, ATS supported the exercise design, scenario planning, simulation modeling, and white cell support, ensuring a robust and realistic training environment for U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Fort Bliss.
Iron Response 2024 aimed to test the installation’s capabilities to respond to and recover from a man-made external threat, including managing mass casualties and fatalities. ATS’s efforts allowed Fort Bliss personnel to train on key core competencies, including Mission Assurance and community resilience operations. The exercise scenario involved a simulated attack on Fort Bliss’s network infrastructure, causing a power outage and a subsequent active shooter incident. First responders reacted swiftly, establishing an Incident Command Post, neutralizing threats, and initiating casualty and fatality management operations.
Throughout the exercise, ATS utilized technology solutions, such as Microsoft Office 365 and Google Earth, to deliver realistic injects and visual aids, enhancing situational awareness for the training audience. Simulated social media and network intrusions were integrated into the scenario, testing the installation’s response capabilities. The exercise also activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC), engaging both military and local external partners in a coordinated response.
The exercise challenged USAG Fort Bliss’s ability to synthesize information from live and simulated sources while maintaining communication across agencies. ATS’s comprehensive planning and execution support allowed Fort Bliss to effectively evaluate their procedures and identify areas for improvement, ensuring readiness for future incidents.
As a leader in emergency preparedness training and readiness, ATS continues to actively work to deliver innovative, experience-based disaster-preparedness exercise solutions for local, state, and federal agencies to protect communities. Preparation for disasters helps reduce panic and possible loss of life. Utilizing simulation helps these units prepare for managing multiple units during a real-life event.