OPERATIONS ORDER: (Operation VIGILANT GUARD 09-01)

UNCLASSIFIED

EXERCISE

Copy ___ of ___ Copies

JFHQ-PR

San Juan, PR

261300NOV08

OPERATIONS ORDER: (Operation VIGILANT GUARD 09-01)

References:

PR JFHQ - MSCA Plan

PR JFHQ - JOC SOP

Time Zone Used: Local

Task Organization: See Annex A

1. SITUATION.

a. Area of Operation: On 24 March 2009 at 0800 HRS, local seismic stations, the Puerto Rico Seismic Network, and the USGS recorded an earthquake near the Municipality of Ponce. Initial reports inform the quake measured approximately 7.0 on the Richter scale and was centered 40 miles south of the Municipality of Ponce along the sea floor. As a result of this earthquake the towns located along and surrounding the coast of the Southern and Southwest of Puerto Rico have been affected from Maunabo in the Southeast to Cabo Rojo in the Southwest. Although the scope of the damage from the earthquake is not yet precise, initial reports indicate major damage occurred to bridges, buildings, communication facilities, and electric transmission towers and lines. The interstate highway system in the region sustained moderate to severe damage. The damage ranged from highway buckling to bridge and overpass collapse. Given the magnitude of the earthquake aftershocks are likely to occur and may hinder military operations in support of civilian authorities in response to the disaster. The rail system in the Port of Ponce was also damaged by the earthquake. The Port of Ponce diesel locomotives, which carry oil and other liquid chemicals from incoming ships to storage areas, are overturned and cracked; spill is rapidly spreading their contents. Important industries include pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, petrochemicals, processed foods, and clothing. Dairy production and other livestock products are the main source of income in the agricultural sector, surpassing sugar production. Tourism is traditionally a source of income as one of the pillars of the Island economy. Therefore a significant amount of tourists from the United States and other countries are expected in this region.

b. Enemy Threat:

(1) Terrorist Threat. A terrorist threat is unlikely against the local population. Specific information provided by National agencies on international terrorist group raises a security concern with the presence of these elements in Puerto Rico more of a transnational event. Nonetheless, the threat to US military agencies in Puerto Rico by these elements is real, and is not a recent phenomenon in the mainland United States, its territories, and overseas locations. Historically, these elements attack weak and soft targets, and bombing, shootings, and kidnapping are the most likely methods used. There is a growing trend by these terrorist elements to use different types of weapons, with the emphasis on lethality and producing mass casualties. Other likely transnational terrorist attacks include: arson; hostage taking; hijacking; raids/attacks on facilities, use of Weapons of Mass Destruction; and Information Warfare.

(2) Domestic Threat. An unprecedented legal challenge to the dominance that the US has exerted over its Caribbean territory for over a century, the federal court actions is reflecting a growing anger within the Puerto Rican population extremist as a whole over the strong-arm tactics exercised by Washington, by employing the methods of the “war on terror” against its nationalist opponents on the Island. The case stems from the September 23, 2005 raid carried out by the FBI against the home of Filiberto Ojeda Rios, founder of the militant independence Macheteros group in the southwestern municipality of Hormigueros. US federal buildings and critical infrastructure protection planning effort must be in effect, systems, and networks; to understand threats; to assess vulnerabilities and consequences; and to prioritize protection initiatives and investments based on costs and benefits, so that scarce resources are used on programs and activities where the greatest reduction of risk and the highest level of protection are attained.

(3) Environment Threat. In recent years the local population has reported in the municipality of Penuelas an increase of respiratory problems. The complaints are directed to a suspicious and unknown contaminated substance located in the oil refinery. The local authorities have not concluded the investigation of recent complaints. The Oil refinery administration has denied any hidden substance that may be harmful to human health.

c. Friendly Forces:

(1) Numerous local, state, and federal agencies will participate in Response and Recovery operations. When PRNG assets are exhausted, NG assets from neighboring states may be requested through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) or Title 10 forces through PR Emergency Management Agency (PREMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). See PRNG MSCA Plan.

d. Environment:

The effects extend approximately 70 miles from the epicenter to the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, resulting in widespread property damage, economic disruptions, displaced citizens, and significant loss of life. Historically after a major earthquake Tsunamis may occur. It is expected that over 7 municipalities, with a population exceeding 150,000 people, be affected by a Tsunami. About 60% of the hospitals in the southern region of Puerto Rico have suffered moderate to extensive damage. Water and electricity services may be compromised. Several hundred hospital beds are no longer available. Hospital care centers as well as retirement homes were affected as well. Schools, government buildings, emergency operations centers, and police and fire stations have suffered significant levels of damage and loss of service. In addition major airport and sea ports will be affected by the Tsunami. Approximately 100 thousand citizens in the southern region are displaced following the earthquake. Approximately 25 thousand require temporary housing in shelters.

(1) Terrain. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is approximately 100 miles long by 35 miles wide with a population of over 3.8 million people. The main route from North of Puerto Rico to the South (Ponce) is Highway 52 which intersects with Road 2 toward west of Puerto Rico. The terrain of Southern Puerto Rico in its majority is at sea level. Major ports are located on the Southern Coast such as Port of Ponce.

(2) Weather. Reviewing historical data has provided the following information for the month of March in Ponce. The average maximum temperature is 90° F; average minimum temperature is 80° F; and average total precipitation is 1/2 inches. Hours of daylight from the period of 24 to 26 March will last from 0615 hours to 1830. Although temperatures do not present a hazard to troops, high temperatures from midday to late afternoon may raise Heat Categories. These Heat Categories may be heightened by the implementation of increased MOPP levels. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November and is not expected to impact operations.

2. Mission

Joint Forces Headquarters-Puerto Rico (JFHQ-PR) coordinates, mobilizes, and deploys forces to provide military support to civil authorities in response to the disaster as a result of the earthquake that occurred in the Southern part of the island NLT 1300hrs 24 March 2009.

3. Execution

Commander’s Intent.

a. Purpose: Provide support to civilian authorities across the widest possible spectrum of PRNG capabilities in order to preserve lives and property, and restore operations as quickly as possible. Success is defined by the identification of weaknesses in the support plan for natural and man-made disasters and the accomplishment of the following key tasks:

(1)C2 operational forces

(2) Establish a Joint Operation Center and maintain a Common Operating

Picture (COP).

(3) Assess operational situation

(4) Conduct JRSOI operations.

(5) Force protection and security operations.

(6) Conduct disaster relief operations.

(7) Conduct mass evacuation operations.

(8) Sustain the forces.

b. End state: The desired end state includes maintaining communication throughout the exercise, enhanced coordination within the JOC to maintain an Common Operation Picture, strengthen JFHQ-PR intercoordination with, local, state and federal authorities, complete all tasks, safe redeploy of all forces to home station and improved ability to respond in support to natural or man-made disasters in the state or region.

Concept of Operations.

a. The Joint Forces Headquarters-Puerto Rico (JFHQ-PR) will initiate planning and coordination activities to facilitate mutual support among the various National Guard States to enhance National Guard support to civil authorities. This response exercise is focused on preparing the PRNG to coordinate, prevent, respond, recover, and mitigate damages from earthquakes that may threaten the Island. It also provides a variety of national assets to include a robust force, scalable to levels of response based on the intensity of the earthquake. The PRNG response is organized by three tiers and five phases of response.

b. Tiers. The PRNG plan will be based on a tiered concept linked to the severity of the event.

(1) Tier 1 events are earthquakes where low to moderate damage is largely contained within a single state or territory and where expected or actual response operations can be conducted with forces available within the affected area. External military support either through Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA) or federal request for assistance may still be made for specific support. The primary PRNG role is to maintain situational awareness.

(2) Tier 2 events exceed the capabilities of the affected state/territory and require external military support either through other Interstate Mutual Support Agreements, or federal request for assistance. Command and Control of Title 10 Military forces during Tier 2 events will typically be executed by the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico with possible NG liaison. The primary PRNG role in Tier 2 events is to coordinate with Title 10 forces, maintain situational awareness, and assist in sourcing Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency requests.

(3) Tier 3 events are earthquakes which require significant military response and will typically require one or more Joint Task Forces to execute the required support. The primary role in Tier 3 events is to advise and assist senior PRNG leadership, monitor situational awareness, provide information to various PRNG elements, senior leadership, and NGB. PRNG is also responsible for assisting in sourcing and flow of forces, and coordination with Title 10 forces.

c. Phases. The Puerto Rico National Guard will conduct levels of response based on a

five phased plan: Phase I (Mobilization), Phase II (Staging), Phase III (Deployment), Phase IV (Support to Civil Authorities), and Phase V (Transition / Re-Deployment).

(1) Phase I. Mobilization.

Phase I begins with the J-3 activation. The J3 will initiate activation of the PR-JOC (Puerto Rico Joint Operation Center) in order to respond to a notional Earthquake disaster. On-order units will activate and deploy to the affected area. Situation reports and initial requests for support from local authorities will begin to come in from Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency. The JOC will be functional NLT 230700 Mar 09. Units will arrive at their respective AOR not earlier than 231200 Mar 09. Phase I ends with the closure of the first wave of alerted forces in the AOR. Key activities are:

(a) Alert forces.

(b) Monitoring JFHQ-PR, PREMA (AEME for its acronym in Spanish)

and resource capabilities/shortfalls.

activities.

(d) Maintaining awareness of open source information/intelligence.

(e) Determining composition of CST Team and posture for deployment.

(f) Posturing Public Affairs (PA) team/assets for deployment.

(g) Identifying capabilities required to provide assistance to and secure

any affected area.

(h) Maintaining Situational Awareness on State level capability shortfalls.

(i) Monitoring friendly operations and capabilities.

(j) Establishing full Situational Awareness of all AEME capabilities and shortfalls.

(2) Phase II, Staging:

Phase II begins with the initial requests for support. For the period 24-26 Mar 09, the JOC will receive requests for support, conduct mission analysis and the military decision making process to produce operations orders (OPORDs), fragmentary orders (FRAGOs) and Mission Tasking Sheets that will be forwarded to units for execution. Units will provide support as directed by the JOC and will report status as required in the Battle Rhythm. The end of exercise (ENDEX) is expected at approximately 261800 Mar 09. Phase II ends upon receipt of mission closure reports. The objective is to mobilize of forces to facilitate a quick response in support of civil authorities. The JTF Commander intent will be to assess initial earthquake damage identified and operational tasks conducted to allow for timely and effective use of forces. Forces are mobilized and organized for deployment to the JOA. Bases of support are identified. Public and civilian agencies are aware of NG support and activities. Public fears, and second-order effects (non-earthquake) are prevented by the knowledge of NG deployment to the JOA. Key activities are:

(a) Order deployment of required QRF forces to JOA NLT C+4.

Mobilize remaining required non-QRF forces in preparation for

employment.

(b) Publish required unit and personnel mobilization/deployment orders.

Establish, if required liaison with USNORTHCOM.

(d) Stand-up Joint Task Force-State.

(e) Support JRSOI of mobilizing units/incoming forces.

(f) Directly support affected local municipalities through their EOC under

life threatening situations.

(g) NGB deploys JET to JOA. JFHQ-PR PAO stands-up Joint

Information Center (JIC).

(3) Phase III, Deployment.

Objective – Assist and coordinate the deployment and reception of forces and

equipment with adequate capabilities for mission accomplishment. The JTF Commander’s Intent is to deploy PRNG forces to the JOA to support civil authorities in reducing the effects

of the natural disaster. Key activities are:

(a) Assist and coordinate in the deployment and reception of forces and

equipment to the JOA.

(b) Establish functional LNO, JET, and PA personnel within the JOA.

(d) Monitor flow and level of forces and equipment deploying into the

JOA.

(e) Maintain current/accurate common operating picture (COP).

(f) Stand up the PRNG ABS in Tier III.

(g) Provide PRNG PA rep to the Joint Operation Center.

*Trigger: Response forces commence deployment into JOA.

(4) Phase IV, Support to Civil Authorities.

Objective of this phase is to provide effective operational support to the Civilian

Authorities as required. The JTF Commander’s intent is to provide support to JTF-State Commander in order to conduct consequence management and operational support in order to; save lives; protect property; meet basic human needs; restore the disaster-affected area; and reduce vulnerability to future disasters. Key activities are: