WHO: The New Jersey National Guard's 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (WMD-CST), the United States Coast Guard and Cape May County agencies.

WHAT: A joint, multi-agency Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) exercise

WHEN: Wednesday, September 20 at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: US Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, N.J.

Media will be directed to the parking area upon entering the Pennsylvania Avenue Main Gate.

The 21st CST will be conducting a WMD response exercise involving shipping containers at the Coast Guard Training Facility at Cape May.

DETAILS: The 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction - Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) located at Fort Dix, N.J., is a high-priority response unit supporting civil authorities in responding to a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) situation.  The unit is made up of 22 full-time National Guard members, encompassing 14 military occupational skills, and is jointly staffed with Army and Air National Guard personnel.  The Team consists of six sections: command, operations, communications, administration/logistics, medical, and survey, who have been specially trained and equipped to provide a technical reach-back capability to other experts. The 21st CST is formed specifically to provide advice to the Incident Commander regarding identification of the hazardous agent; assess the consequences of the spread of the agent; provide advice regarding public safety and mitigation; and assist with disaster response and obtaining follow-on forces.  The unit is Federally resourced, trained, equipped, and sustained, with the State National Guard providing the personnel, stationing, and common support.  The WMD-CST is normally under state control and may be employed as a state asset.

Media wishing to attend this event must contact Lt. Col. James Garcia or Kryn Westhoven at (609) 530-6942 by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19.