National Guardsmen to Conduct Earthquake Training

National guardsmen from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Louisiana and Texas are conducting emergency training in Oklahoma to prepare in case a major earthquake strikes the region.

The exercise called “Vigilant Guard” will be held Wednesday at the Camp Gruber Training Site near Braggs in northeastern Oklahoma.

The guardsmen are to hold the training that simulates a 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurring along the New Madrid fault in Northeast Arkansas and northward into other states.

The soldiers and airmen will use specialized equipment and practice rescue and recovery operations in piles of rubble and collapsed building structures.