Ardent Sentry Tests U.S., Canadian Crisis Response Capabilities

By Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service
Apr 29, 2007 - 5:39:47 PM

Blackanthem Military News, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thousands of active-duty and National Guard servicemembers will take part in a two-week, Defense Department-sponsored nationwide emergency preparedness and response exercise that kicks off April 30, a senior department official said here yesterday.

A major focus of Operation Ardent Sentry - Northern Edge 2007 will be to test crisis-response coordination between federally controlled military forces and National Guard units that come under the command of state governors, Peter F. Verga, acting assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, told the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service at the Pentagon.