{"id":574037,"date":"2026-04-09T14:44:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T14:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/574037\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T14:44:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T14:44:10","slug":"washington-guard-thai-partners-strengthen-port-emergency-response-article","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/574037\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington Guard, Thai partners strengthen port emergency response | Article"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Firefighters from the Port of Laem Chabang participate in a subject-matter expert exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang and at Sri Racha Hospital, Thailand, March 7, 2026.
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Firefighters from the Port of Laem Chabang participate in a subject-matter expert exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang and at Sri Racha Hospital, Thailand, March 6, 2026.
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Group photo at the Port of Laem Chabang, March 7, 2026.
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CAMP MURRAY, Wash. \u2013 Soldiers from the Washington Army National Guard trained alongside Thai partners during a weeklong subject matter expert exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang and Sri Racha Hospital, March 2\u20139, strengthening emergency response coordination at one of Southeast Asia\u2019s busiest maritime hubs.<\/p>\n

The exchange, part of a decades-long State Partnership Program relationship, focused on improving all-hazards response, refining incident command systems and testing patient evacuation procedures in a complex, multi-scenario environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of this exchange was to continue to improve the port\u2019s all hazard response while establishing the incident command (IC) center and patient evacuation route at the alternate site,\u201d said Capt. Matthew Carey, the officer in charge and medical lead for the exchange. \u201cThe goal is to build a unified, all-hazards response that can operate seamlessly under pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 2005, the Washington National Guard has partnered with Thai officials at the port, making this one of the premier recurring engagements in their 24-year State Partnership Program relationship. Conducted twice annually, the training focuses on incident management, chemical decontamination and medical response through full-scale disaster scenarios.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s exercise combined a simulated lithium battery fire with a shipboard pandemic, requiring participants to respond across multiple domains simultaneously.<\/p>\n

For the first time, the training expanded beyond the port to include Sri Racha Hospital as a primary operational site. The shift tested alternate evacuation routes, including a pier and helipad, and required participants to adapt while maintaining coordination across agencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of this exchange was achieved in full. The alternate patient evacuation site and the incident command were established at the hospital. New leadership was utilized for the incident command with guidance from the Port Authority leadership,\u201d Carey said. \u201cThis was a change in that we saw previous students taking the lead in teaching the next generation of leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the added complexity, the exercise met its primary objectives. A clear incident command structure was established, and Thai-led teams demonstrated greater ownership of planning and execution of the scenario. Communication systems and logistical support enabled responders to maintain situational awareness and coordinate actions across the simulated crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis scenario introduced new challenges, including the transfer of patients in isolation containment units from ship to ship and from ship to shore,\u201d Carey said. \u201cThere was strong interagency coordination and high levels of engagement during hands-on training.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Port of Laem Chabang is one of Southeast Asia\u2019s busiest deep-sea ports, making the partnership strategically significant for regional readiness and resilience. As a key logistics gateway, the port\u2019s ability to respond effectively to hazards is critical to preventing disruptions to international supply chains.<\/p>\n

The exchange followed Cobra Gold 2026, during which Carey, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kristin Retherford, Sgt. 1st Class Ricky Manglona, and Victor Aguilar supported the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise for two weeks prior.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in Thailand for 24 days total,\u201d Retherford said. \u201cCobra Gold HADR enhanced my understanding of Thailand disaster response by immersing us with civilian agencies who may be involved in a port disaster. Thailand\u2019s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation establishes guidelines and standard operating procedures to support and enable response protocols, which includes Port Laem Chabang.\u201d<\/p>\n

Retherford said lessons learned during the exchange will carry forward to future engagements.<\/p>\n

\u201cPracticing these tactics, techniques, and procedures better prepare our team to support emergency responders at the port.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related Links<\/p>\n

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil<\/a><\/p>\n

State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil<\/a><\/p>\n

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com\/TheNationalGuard<\/a><\/p>\n

The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com\/TheNationalGuard<\/a><\/p>\n

The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com\/us.nationalguard<\/a><\/p>\n

The National Guard on X | X.com\/USNationalGuard<\/a><\/p>\n

The National Guard on YouTube | <\/a>YouTube.com\/TheNationalGuard<\/a><\/p>\n