URBAN SHIELD 2013
What an amazing event! We just returned from supporting Urban Shield in Alameda County this weekend and are extremely impressed with the professionalism, not to mention the endurance, of all of the teams involved. The event is one of the largest of its kind in the United States.
“Urban Shield has grown into a comprehensive, full-scale regional preparedness exercise assessing the overall Bay Area UASI Region’s response capabilities related to multi-discipline planning, policies, procedures, organization, equipment and training. Urban Shield continues to test regional integrated systems for prevention, protection, response and recovery in our high-threat, high-density urban area. The exercise evaluates our existing level of preparedness and capabilities, identifying not only what we do well, but areas in need of improvement. The previous years’ After Action Reports are referenced and used to assist in prioritizing upcoming expenditures possible for the region so we may become more prepared for any type of critical event or incident in our area” (Urbanshield.org).
SBTactical was brought in to support the Dignitary Protection scenario that was held at Castro Valley High School. Our irTactical training weapon systems were used by over 288 SWAT officers, as well as multiple U.S. Secret Service Officers who were acting as the opposing forces. The purpose was to replicate an attempted ambush of a dignitary at the high school stadium. “The [irTactical] systems were perfect for the scenario because there are no projectiles to damage any property or hurt any role players, and because of the range capabilities that they bring” said Nate Oltmans, the Secret Service agent from the San Francisco Field Office that was running the event. The irTactical systems are capable of accurate engagements at over 350 feet.
The scenario went for 48 hours straight with 36 teams rotating through. Each team had 8 officers who were outfitted with an irVest, irM4 rifle, irPistol, and StressX belt, which induced a 5600 volt shock to their abdomen every time they were engaged. Sgt Spencer Fomby from the Berkeley PD SWAT team said, “Feeling that shock every time you take a shot really makes you want to move faster. It brings realism to the training that no other system I have used does.”
Overall, more than 10,000 shots were fired with the IR systems and they performed exceptionally!
SBTactical would like to thank the Alameda County Sheriff Department and the U.S. Secret Service San Francisco field office for having us out, as well as irTactical for their support. We are looking forward to Urban Shield 2014!

Todd
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