Iowa National Guard soldiers trained to respond to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction are launching a three-day exercise in Iowa’s largest city this morning. Guard spokesman Colonel Robert King says the 71st Civil Support Team is working with the Des Moines police bomb squad and the fire department to focus on working together. King says the training exercise at the Iowa State Fairgrounds will involve the 22-member guard unit and several dozen firefighters and police officers.King says the team was assembled to respond to incidents that involve weapons of mass destruction anywhere in Iowa. He says it’s something they hope won’t happen, but need to be prepared to respond.King says the guard unit works with local authorities to assess damage and to consult on logistics, medical, chemical and biological defense.
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