With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a year away, New Jersey law enforcement and military units are stepping up training to prepare for security threats.
Airmen from the N.J. Air National Guard’s 177th Civil Engineer Squadron on July 31 joined the 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team and the N.J. State Police Hazmat Response Team for a joint training exercise at Mercer County Park in West Windsor as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The training included briefings, command coordination, safety procedures and joint decision-making tasks in hazardous environments.
The goal was to sharpen readiness for potential emergencies involving chemical, biological or explosive threats.
“We scheduled and prepared the exercise with direct consultation and support from our partners at the 21st WMD-CST, National Park Service and the NJ State Police,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. David Bernal, explosive ordnance disposal team superintendent with the 177th Civil Engineer Squadron.
“The 177th EOD team’s objective was to provide explosive hazard support to our law enforcement partners,” Sgt. Bernal said.
During the exercise, Airmen operated a Man Transportable Robotics System during a simulated hazardous material scenario before members of the 21st CST sampled and identified the material.
In another scenario near a mock concert stage, explosive ordnance disposal technicians worked alongside partner agencies to conduct on-site mitigation procedures.
“Honestly, I think the biggest part of this was the interoperability between us, the CST and the state police,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Robert Wittig, an EOD technician with the 177th Civil Engineer Squadron.
New Jersey will host several games when the World Cup kicks off next June, including the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Officials expect the region to be a major hub for fans, prompting additional security exercises between the WMD-CST and state police in the coming months.
“We want our Airmen and the public to know that interagency training and joint operations are routinely conducted to ensure public safety and security,” Bernal said.
