The Nov. 16 exercise is designed to find weaknesses in the federal, state and local response to a major attack at the border using weapons of mass destruction, said Cam Hunter, a spokeswoman for the state Office of Homeland Security.

"We can't learn what weak areas . . . exist without something like this," Hunter said.

Organizers expect about 500 participants from 60 agencies on both sides of the border for the event in Nogales' Mariposa port of entry, Arizona's busiest commercial gateway into the United States. Invitees include Tom Ridge, U.S. secretary for Homeland Security; his Mexican counterpart, Santiago Creel; Gov. Janet Napolitano; and Sonora Gov. Eduardo Bours.

In the simulation, a chemical agent stolen in Mexico is driven into the port of entry in a truck and then detonated.

The exercise will involve a response to mass casualties and the spread of a biochemical agent, said Frank Navarette, director for the state Office of Homeland Security.

"The ultimate goal is . . . to see how well prepared we are, see if there are gaps in our training and act accordingly to fill those gaps," he said.

The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection will monitor the exercise and simultaneously conduct an internal drill in response to the attack, said Roger Maier, bureau spokesman.

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