ATSsim in Use

U.S. Army North

Vibrant Response 22 Exercise Event

From April 19 – May 16, 2022, ATS assisted with VIBRANT RESPONSE 22, the culminating training event for the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF). The scenario for both phases of the event was a 20kT nuclear device detonation in the vicinity of Denver, CO. The DCRF and Command and Control CBRN Response Elements A and B (2CRE-A/B) deployed to the Denver area and conducted CBRN response operations, and other-directed mission assignments in support of FEMA (the lead federal agency) in order to save lives, mitigate human suffering, and prevent further injury. They also provided temporary critical support to enable community recovery and, ultimately, conducted a transition of responsibility to follow on forces or civil authority. ATS provided the ATSsim Constructive Simulation environment to replicate the activities of the CBRN Response Enterprise (CRE). ATS also provided personnel which wrote and role-played elements of the higher headquarters and Federal and State partners. The event was a success, as the DCRF, C2CRE-A and C2CRE-B have been confirmed as mission ready. All personnel and equipment can redeploy safely and have been re-set in preparation for mission execution.

National Guard Bureau

Vigilant Guard Oregon Exercise Event

From June 9 – 12, 2022, ATS assisted with VIBRANT RESPONSE Oregon, an event meant to test the Oregon National Guard’s Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake response plan. ATSsim was used to simulate a massive 9M earthquake off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and northern California. Soon after the earthquake hit, a tsunami triggered by the earthquakeinundated the entire coast of Oregon. The effects of the earthquake and the tsunami left many areas of Oregon west of the Cascade Mountain range with devastating infrastructure and building damage. The Oregon National Guard was mobilized and stood up a Dual Status Command-led Joint Task Force to assist the state in responding to the disaster. The state was assisted by National Guard units from several states, in addition to active-duty Army forces. This exercise allowed the Oregon National Guard to practice their critical response tasks in leading the military response, while also allowing them to identify the parts of their plan that need refinement and where additional training might be needed. The use of ATSsim and the expertise of the ATS staff in modeling & simulation and exercise execution, allowed the exercise sponsors and the Oregon National Guard to achieve considerable cost savings over a full-scale exercise and still achieve the same training result end-state for the Dual Status Commander and his staff.

PJM Interconnection

GridEx

PJM Interconnection (commonly known as PJM) is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. It is one of the largest and most complex electricity grids in North America, serving more than 65 million people.

PJM operates a high-voltage transmission system spanning over 86,000 miles and encompasses a diverse mix of power generation sources, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, and hydroelectric. Its primary responsibility is to ensure the reliable operation of the electric grid, facilitate competitive wholesale electricity markets, and plan and coordinate the transmission infrastructure to meet the region’s future power needs.

GridEx is an exercise organized by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to test and improve the readiness and response capabilities of electricity industry participants, government agencies, and other stakeholders in the event of a widespread power outage or other emergencies. GridEx focuses on enhancing coordination, communication, and collaboration among various entities to effectively respond to and recover from significant disruptions in the electric grid.

During a GridEx exercise, held November 16-17, 2022, ATSsim helps participants simulate and respond to simulated scenarios involving cyberattacks, physical attacks, natural disasters, or other events that could impact the reliability and security of the electric grid. The exercise aims to identify areas for improvement, strengthen mutual aid agreements, and enhance the overall resilience of the electric system.

PJM Interconnection actively participates in GridEx exercises to test its operational readiness and collaborate with other entities to ensure a coordinated response to potential grid disruptions. The exercises provide an opportunity for PJM and other participants to assess their emergency response plans, identify vulnerabilities, and implement measures to enhance grid reliability and resilience.