Guardsmen from the South Carolina State Guard and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary patrolled the area around Drum Island today near the Ravenel Bridge. 

"If this were a real emergency, a hurricane, a man made event, terrorist attack, that's why we're out here under the bridge making sure this area is safe," said Lt. Patrick Hall with the 3rd Brigade of the South Carolina State Guard. 

Men were stationed all over the island looking for anything suspicious.  Command Sergeant Major Pete Peters played the role of the bad guy this morning.  His role was to provide simulated re-con for the enemy.

"I'm on these guy's side, they just don't know I'm working against them today," he said.

"Certain things that I'm going to be doing that would look suspicious.  I'm to test their ability to detect certain suspicious activity," he added.

The safety mission helps keep the men ready in case of a real emergency.

"In a time of a real emergency like a Hurricane Hugo this mission would be real.  We'd be making sure everything is safe and secure," Lt. Hall said.

For more information on the South Carolina State Guard or to learn how to join you can visit their website: 3bde.scsg.org