Base springs to action in exercise: Off-base training tests base’s communication with local authorities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tiffany Orr
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Airmen here worked with local emergency response officials to conduct a major accident response exercise in Lakewood Wednesday.

The exercise, which took place at an abandoned runway at Clover Park Technical College, revolved around a mock aircraft accident, said Maj. Anthony Calabrese, 62nd Airlift Wing Plans and Programs.

"The purpose of the exercise was to test the memorandum of agreement between McChord and off-base agencies," he said.

This meant that McChord and local emergency responders such as Lakewood fire fighters and police officers were being tested to see how good their cross-communication skills were in the face of a catastrophic event, he said.

"Being prepared for any kind of accident or attack ensures everyone's safety," he said. "By practicing how we communicate, we can minimize these risks."

Having McChord and other emergency response teams in sync as far as communication is concerned is especially important right now as the implementation of the Air Force Incident Management System, the Air Force's version of the Emergency Management System, comes online, said Senior Master Sgt. James Byrnes, 62nd AW Plans and Programs.

"As the Air Force gets smaller, we'll be relying more and more on local agencies to augment our forces in large-scale incidents such as terrorism and natural disasters, so it's imperative that the Air Force and local agencies speak the same language when dealing with these crises," he said.

Functional-area experts evaluated how well McChord's Airmen and local officials performed in each portion of the exercise and graded them accordingly, he said.

The hotwash, or briefing where officials who provided oversight during the event will explain in detail McChord's strengths and weaknesses with respect to the exercise, will take place in the next couple of weeks, he said.

Wednesday's MARE was the first of two scheduled accident response exercises this year, said Major Calabrese.

The next MARE will take place in July in preparation for Rodeo, he said. It will test the practices, procedures and communication systems in-place in the event that an emergency situation arises at Rodeo.