Nation on Edge: Operation TOPOFF — Largest Civil Defense Exercise In American History Begins This Week

PORTLAND, Oregon The largest civil defense exercise in American history Operation TOPOFF is scheduled to run Oct. 15-19 in three locations: Portland, Ore. Phoenix, Ariz., and the U.S. territory of Guam.

The multi-agency exercise encompasses over 15,000 individuals and, according to the Federal government, will feature a “surprise” scenario whereby a hypothetical “Radioactive Dispersal Device,” or conventional explosive that disperses radiation, goes off unexpectedly in a metropolitan area. Federal officials say that the exercises will test their ability to react to simultaneous terrorist attacks to determine the impact on emergency resources.

At the same time, the U.S. military’s Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is running its “Vigilent Shield 08” exercise, which, among other things, contemplates sending Federal troops into disaster zones to bolster local first responders.

Among the Federal agencies taking part in the national-level exercise are FEMA, the FBI, the CIA, the National Guard, USNORTHCOM, NORAD, the National Reconnaissance Office, and other elements of the Department of Defense. In all, more than 275 organizations are expected to be involved.

According to government sources, the Portland exercise may involve a “dirty bomb” being detonated on a steel bridge to disrupt traffic, along with perhaps attacks involving a network of suicide bombers to erupt in various areas.

Similar bogus attacks are anticipated in Phoenix, Guam, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere, as the scope of the national-level exercises are linked internationally.

While some residents of Portland and other “target” areas are concerned about elements of the exercise “going live,” local law enforcement personnel are viewing the exercise as a learning opportunity.

Assistant Chief Brian Martianek, in charge of overall exercise operations for the Portland Police Bureau, told The Iconoclast that he is not concerned about a false flag event happening in Portland. He says that while his department tries to think about every issue it can imagine, it does not have a person tasked with focusing upon the possibility of high-level insider treason. He says he hopes to learn things from TOPOFF that will protect the community.

Senior Public Affairs Officer Kerry Dugan, Portland Office of Emergency Management, acknowledged awareness of 9-11-related theories being mentioned by the news media during the past 1