U.S. Soldiers, with the 108th Chemical Company, South

U.S. Soldiers, with the 108th Chemical Company, South Carolina Army National Guard, based at North Charleston, S.C., fix the nozzle of a power washer while vehicles are decontaminated during exercise Ardent Sentry in Ridgeland, S.C., May 19, 2013. A simulated contaminated convoy is processed by the 108th Decontamination Platoon before being allowed entry to the point of distribution to pick up food and water supplies needed for civilians after a natural disaster. Ardent Sentry is a NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM)-directed exercise focusing on defense support of civil authorities in response to simulated weather, security and disaster contingencies. While Ardent Sentry is primarily a command post exercise, several field training events were conducted at various locations within the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility. Ardent Sentry, conducted May 17-21, 2013, involved a scenario of a hurricane striking the South Carolina coast requiring more than 1,500 members of the South Carolina National Guard to practice disaster response activities and coordination procedures. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jorge Intriago/Released)