September 2, 2011 - 1:20 pm
This is a project that I initially worked on with Dave Szulborski and did quite a bit of writing for, but eventually it was reorganized and I’m not sure if any of my pieces made it into the end result. The project itself was a training scenario for military joint task forces. Of course, there was a classic Szulborski twist in there regarding a mysterious illness.
January ??, 2008
To the members of the Joint Task Force:
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Major General Thomas Wooley, U.S. Army. I am the Commander in Chief of the Joint Task Force currently assigned to aid Puerto Rico – a task force of which you are now a member.
You have been selected to play a key role in providing assistance to Puerto Rico after the devastation of an early morning tsunami on January 8. As you know by know, the damage from the tsunami has been extensive, leaving hundreds of towns decimated and many citizens dead, injured, or homeless.
As part of this response team, you will be not only setting up humanitarian aid and assessing damage, but you will also be looking into what appears to be a growing biological threat. Reports of civilians suffering from nausea, fatigue, cramping, and vomiting have been steadily growing in number. In addition, patients have been diagnosed with basophilic stippling, which is normally a symptom of elevated blood lead levels.
Although our people have not yet been able to confirm that there is a widespread outbreak in the general population, the number of cases with similar symptoms is concerning. This concern is two-fold: both from an epidemiological standpoint and from a logistical one in terms of providing aid and security while attempting to keep both our people and the tsunami victims from contracting the disease. You in the Joint Task Force will be investigating the disease reports while you work on peacekeeping, damage assessment, and humanitarian assistance. As your CiC, I will do my utmost to provide any and all support that the JTF will require during this process.
Our first meeting will be on January 15, 2008 at 1100 EST. Telephone details will be provided to you shortly. Make every effort to attend this conference call. Your participation is of paramount importance.
Welcome to the group.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Wooley, CiC, JTF