The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) successfully concluded a two-week Regional Power Mission Exercise on May 16, enhancing its readiness to provide critical temporary emergency power in the wake of a major disaster.

The exercise simulated a large-scale power outage requiring rapid deployment of emergency power resources.

Hosted in close collaboration with the North Atlantic Division (NAD), Southwestern Division (SWD), and FEMA Regions I, III, and VI, the exercise provided invaluable training for USACE personnel and key partners.

The Regional Power Mission Exercise and Validation strengthens community resilience in two ways. It equips local governments with critical facility assessments and generator power requirements for effective planning and preparedness, and it ensures our Power Teams are ready to rapidly deploy and restore power to critical facilities following disasters,” said Dominic Basile, USACE, national temporary emergency power program manager.

The exercise saw active participation from the 249th Engineer Battalion’s power stations, as well as the Albuquerque, Savannah, and Tulsa Power Prime Response Teams (PRTs). Notably, the 249th Engineer Battalion completed an impressive 450 facility assessments across five states – Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Virginia – during the two-week period. These assessments were crucial in simulating real-world damage evaluation and prioritization of power restoration efforts.

The two-week duration allowed for a comprehensive assessment of logistical challenges, communication protocols, and interagency coordination. By working alongside FEMA representatives from multiple regions, the exercise fostered a stronger, more unified approach to disaster response.

“This two-week event strengthened vital partnerships between internal and external government agencies at all levels. By collaborating on pre-disaster planning, participants gained a common understanding of how to rapidly request and secure federal emergency power assistance for critical facilities, enhancing our collective ability to support lifesaving and life sustaining operations,” said Basile.  

“This exercise showcased the strength of true interagency collaboration. The dedication of the 249th Engineer Battalion and the Power Prime Response Teams in completing 450 facility assessments across five states reflects our collective commitment to readiness and resilience,” said Nancy Church, USACE, national temporary emergency power program manager. “By working closely with FEMA and our regional partners, we were able to test and strengthen the systems that will be critical in a real-world response. It’s efforts like these that ensure we’re not just prepared—but unified—when disaster strikes.”

The successful completion of the Regional Power Mission Exercise underscores USACE’s commitment to national security and its dedication to supporting communities across the country in times of need.

USACE Emergency Response at a Glance

 USACE has more than 50 specialized response teams across the country, drawn from nine divisions, 44 districts, national headquarters, and other offices. These professionals, many of whom volunteer to deploy, rapidly come together to support their fellow Americans in times of crisis.

Under the National Response Framework and the Stafford Act, USACE supports FEMA-led federal disaster operations, while also responding directly under Public Law 84-99 to flooding and coastal emergencies. Strong relationships with FEMA regions, state emergency operations centers, and National Guard units enable USACE to respond quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.

About USACE

For 250 years the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has evolved into the world’s largest public engineering, design, and construction agency. USACE delivers vital civil and military programs, strengthening national security, sustaining water resources infrastructure, and driving economic growth. Learn more at https://www.usace.army.mil/ 

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) successfully concluded a two-week Regional Power Mission Exercise on May 16, enhancing its readiness to provide critical temporary emergency power in the wake of a major disaster.

The exercise simulated a large-scale power outage requiring rapid deployment of emergency power resources.

Hosted in close collaboration with the North Atlantic Division (NAD), Southwestern Division (SWD), and FEMA Regions I, III, and VI, the exercise provided invaluable training for USACE personnel and key partners.

The Regional Power Mission Exercise and Validation strengthens community resilience in two ways. It equips local governments with critical facility assessments and generator power requirements for effective planning and preparedness, and it ensures our Power Teams are ready to rapidly deploy and restore power to critical facilities following disasters,” said Dominic Basile, USACE, national temporary emergency power program manager.

The exercise saw active participation from the 249th Engineer Battalion’s power stations, as well as the Albuquerque, Savannah, and Tulsa Power Prime Response Teams (PRTs). Notably, the 249th Engineer Battalion completed an impressive 450 facility assessments across five states – Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Virginia – during the two-week period. These assessments were crucial in simulating real-world damage evaluation and prioritization of power restoration efforts.

The two-week duration allowed for a comprehensive assessment of logistical challenges, communication protocols, and interagency coordination. By working alongside FEMA representatives from multiple regions, the exercise fostered a stronger, more unified approach to disaster response.

“This two-week event strengthened vital partnerships between internal and external government agencies at all levels. By collaborating on pre-disaster planning, participants gained a common understanding of how to rapidly request and secure federal emergency power assistance for critical facilities, enhancing our collective ability to support lifesaving and life sustaining operations,” said Basile.  

“This exercise showcased the strength of true interagency collaboration. The dedication of the 249th Engineer Battalion and the Power Prime Response Teams in completing 450 facility assessments across five states reflects our collective commitment to readiness and resilience,” said Nancy Church, USACE, national temporary emergency power program manager. “By working closely with FEMA and our regional partners, we were able to test and strengthen the systems that will be critical in a real-world response. It’s efforts like these that ensure we’re not just prepared—but unified—when disaster strikes.”

The successful completion of the Regional Power Mission Exercise underscores USACE’s commitment to national security and its dedication to supporting communities across the country in times of need.

USACE Emergency Response at a Glance

 USACE has more than 50 specialized response teams across the country, drawn from nine divisions, 44 districts, national headquarters, and other offices. These professionals, many of whom volunteer to deploy, rapidly come together to support their fellow Americans in times of crisis.

Under the National Response Framework and the Stafford Act, USACE supports FEMA-led federal disaster operations, while also responding directly under Public Law 84-99 to flooding and coastal emergencies. Strong relationships with FEMA regions, state emergency operations centers, and National Guard units enable USACE to respond quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.

About USACE

For 250 years the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has evolved into the world’s largest public engineering, design, and construction agency. USACE delivers vital civil and military programs, strengthening national security, sustaining water resources infrastructure, and driving economic growth. Learn more at https://www.usace.army.mil/ 

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