Kentucky Guard aviation unit supports national CBRN response exercise

DVIDS – News – Kentucky Guard aviation unit supports national CBRN response exercise

Kentucky Guard a

KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES

04.24.2026

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane 

Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office  

Kentucky Guard aviation unit supports national CBRN response exercise
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CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind – Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 63rd Theater A6, a large-scale U.S. military exercise designed to prepare forces to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents within the homeland, April 13-29

Headquartered across multiple locations around Camp Atterbury, as well as the U.S., the 63rd TAB supported several task force commands at varying echelons during the exercise

The unit deployed Soldiers nationwide, including two Soldiers to Point Loma, California, to serve as aTF-CS) at the incident command level, and two more to Fort Eustis, Virginia, supporting division staff operations

Additionally, nine Soldiers operated as an aserved in a lower command role as part of the anse Force

Army Maj. Jessica Miller, Army Agade S3 and current operations officer for Task Force Aer response operations

“Task Force Ations,” Miller said. “We provide rapid movement, access and visibility when ground movement is limited or unsafe.”

Aift, medical evacuation, aerial reconnaissance, command and control support, and search and rescue operations — ensuring seamless coordination across the response framework

Among those contributing to the mission was U.S. Army Sgt. Patrick Mallory, who served as the brigade S4, overseeing logistics. Despite it being his first brigade-level exercise, Mallory quickly distinguished himself through initiative and adaptability

“His willingness to learn and take on a challenging role made a significant impact,” Miller said. “He asked the right questions and delivered results in a demanding environment.”

Mallory has been in the Guard for four years and said that this annual training mission has challenged him but also gave him opportunities to branch out and learn from others

“At first, it was tough,” said Mallory. “It’s been a different level of responsibility than what I am used to, but I have my counterparts here that I can reach out to from the Reserve and (on) active duty with questions that I have.”

On the other side of the base, U.S. Army Maj. Miles Miller oversaw Task Force 46, 10-person planning cell

“I’m part of a small contingency force who is training for America’s darkest day,” said Miller. “What this headquarters is designed to do is to try to bring folks in from all over the U.S. to help provide immediate response to that. And the A

As the exercise moved along, each section was being carefully watched and “graded” on its actions

“Army North is here and they will be evaluating Task Force 76 and Task Force 46,” he said. “It’s largely communications and the ability of these division level headquarters to bring re

Vibrant Response 26 is the first of two large exercises that are meant to train CBRN Soldiers

“Following Vibrant Response, we do another exercise called Guardian Response,” added Miler. “It’s where the division valuates their down trace units. Task Force operations and logistics will come back to Indiana, and they will run a field training exercise where they’re out in the field moving pieces and parts.”

The 63rd TAB’s performance during Vibrant Response 2026 highlights the Kentucky National Guard’s readiness to respond to complex domestic emergencies

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