Press Release 23-027, Sept. 09, 2023
Contact: Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber, 801-716-9063
For Immediate Release
Utah National Guard to Participate in Morocco Earthquake Exercise
DRAPER, Utah – The Utah National Guard is scheduled to participate in an earthquake exercise called, Moroc Mantlet between September 9 and 23. This exercise has been planned for nearly a year and coincidentally begins just days after Morocco experienced a 6.8 magnitude earthquake near Marrakech, Morocco.
Moroc Mantlet is an annual disaster response exercise that has been conducted for several years. The exercise is designed to increase capacity and increase expertise in disaster recovery and response. Specifically targeting military to civilian interaction and response and recovery practices. It has been an honor for the Utah National Guard to participate with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in exercises such as these for the past 20 years. We are continuously impressed by the capability and professionalism displayed by our partners in Morocco. They share many values with us as citizens of Utah including a strong sense of family and community.
The Utah National Guard has sent roughly 20 people to Morocco in the past two days and expects nearly 40 more to arrive in the country before Sept. 12 as regular participants in the Moroc Mantlet exercise. These exercise participants stand ready to assist Moroccan authorities in response this tragic earthquake but will continue their normally planned missions until directed otherwise.
The Utah National Guard as a premier, community-based force comprised of relevant and trained citizen-Soldiers and Airmen, proud to be partnered with Morocco, U.S. Allies since 1777. We stand ready to respond to assigned missions at home or anywhere in the world.
For more information, please contact the Utah National Guard Public Affairs Office at 801-716-9063 or email at ng.utpao@army.mil. Several stock photos of previous exercises area attached to this release.
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