North Carolina National Guard Rapid Reaction Force Civil Unrest Training Photos

The following photos depict soldiers from the 252nd Combined Arms Battalion training in June for their role as a “rapid reaction force” capable of responding anywhere in the state of North Carolina within “four to eight hours with additional forces arriving within 24 to 36 hours.”  The same unit trained in March to respond “to an emergency ahead of federal assets by providing site security, establishing roadblocks or checkpoints, and assisting civilian authorities in controlling civil disturbances.”  

The exercises depicted below were held from June 10-14 at an abandoned shopping mall and a water treatment facility in Charlotte.  Soldiers trained to suppress protesters who perform a sit-in as part of a fictional group called “The Pink Panthers.”  According to the North Carolina National Guard, the exercise at the water treatment facility tests soldiers’ “ability to use nonlethal force to disperse a crowd of aggressors.”  Photos of the exercise show soldiers operating from Be On the Look Out (BOLO) notices with the identities of specific individuals in the crowd, listed as “AIN Members,” that are to be targeted for arrest.

Photos via North Carolina National Guard and Grant Baldwin Photography.

Charlotte, N.C. A UH-60 Blackhawk flies over the Franklin Water Treatment Plant during a Rapid Reaction Force exercise on June 13th, 2013. The RRF exercise is an opportunity for the North Carolina National Guard to highlight special skills to provide valuable support to our communities, throughout the state, during catastrophic homeland events. NCNG photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen.

Charlotte, N.C. During a Rapid Reaction Force exercise at the Franklin Water Treatment Plant on June 13th, 2013, members of “The Pink Panthers” perform a sit-in to test soldiers skills during a demonstration. The RRF exercise is an opportunity for the North Carolina National Guard to highlight special skills to provide valuable support to our communities, throughout the state, during catastrophic homeland events. NCNG photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen.

Charlotte, N.C. During a Rapid Reaction Force exercise at the Franklin Water Treatment Plant on June 13th, 2013, members of “The Pink Panthers” clash with Soldiers of 1-252 Armor during a demonstration. The RRF exercise is an opportunity for the North Carolina National Guard to highlight special skills to provide valuable support to our communities, throughout the state, during catastrophic homeland events. NCNG photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen.

Charlotte, N.C. During a Rapid Reaction Force exercise at the Franklin Water Treatment Plant on June 13th, 2013, a member of “The Pink Panthers” uses a megaphone to communicate with soldiers. The RRF exercise is an opportunity for the North Carolina National Guard to highlight special skills to provide valuable support to our communities, throughout the state, during catastrophic homeland events. NCNG photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen.

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