ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research Announce 2019 Raven's Challenge Interoperability Exercise
WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR), in partnership with the U.S. Army Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) G-38 – Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), announce the 2019 Raven's Challenge Interoperability Exercise, a national training event to prepare and counter the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The exercise will run at multiple locations throughout the United States, March 19 through July 20, 2019 as follows:
-
March 10-15, Camp Blanding in Starke, FL
-
April 8-12, State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany, NY
-
May 6-10, YMCA of the Rockies in Winter Park, CO
-
June 10-14, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in North Vernon, IN
The Raven’s Challenge began in 2004 as an ATF-led training exercise for both military EOD teams and public safety bomb squads (PSBS) in Seattle. The exercise matured into what is now the largest EOD/PSBS training exercise in the world. The Raven’s Challenge is funded by the U.S. Army and is executed by ATF and partner agencies including the Army, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI, and state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
This annual, interagency counter-IED (C-IED) exercise will have an emphasis on subterranean operations and evidence collection procedures. Scenarios will focus on capabilities between public safety bomb squads and military EOD teams in operational environments. It involves EOD teams from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), Army, U.S. Navy (USN), and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), including their active-duty, reserve, and guard components; state and local PSBS; Departments of Defense; Department of Justice; DHS; international law enforcement; and military and industry partners. International exposure has increased to include seven partnering NATO nations involved in the exercise. The close collaboration and participation of these organizations is a testament to the C-IED expertise and professionalism of all involved and the importance of the subject matter. The Raven’s Challenge objectives tie directly to guiding policy regarding C-IED national preparedness efforts.
