The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on Tuesday that found that the National Guard, part of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), has made progress incorporating the Homeland Response Force (HRF) into the chemical, biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) response enterprise.
DoD’s National Guard Bureau uses an evaluation of necessary tasks and action as a primary measure of HRF capabilities and utilizes its defense readiness reporting system as a primary measure of readiness status. Through these measures, the National Guard determined that HRF can conduct a mission if called upon.
Six HRF commanders told the GAO that they have a goal to increase National Guard personnel with prior HRF or similar mission experience by as much as 30 percent of current levels. According to the commanders, the additional personnel can mitigate losses through turnover and other deployment disqualification factors, including medical needs and personal issues. Capability and readiness measures indicate that 10 HRFs are currently prepared for their missions.
The GAO also noted that the DoD has made progress in incorporating the HRF into the CBRN response enterprise by updating plans, guidance and exercises. The GAO also found that DoD is synchronizing major exercise schedules, thereby increasing the opportunity for the HRF to exercise with other CBRN response teams.
Though a report was released, GAO found no recourse in making any recommendations at this time.