JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- When the wavering tone started over the loud speakers, everyone on base knew something was wrong. Under their desks they went, waiting for the all clear.
The loud noise blasted through the base due to a no-notice active shooter exercise held at the Joint Base May 2.
“[We held this exercise] to ensure that JB MDL is capable of preserving the force, conducting all assigned missions and performing required reporting and response actions following a significant threat to base personnel and/or equipment,” said Tim Grimes, 87th Air Base Wing inspector general.
The majority happened at Range 59E, which has a unique setup. A mock town, full with a hotel, gas station and church, complete with a cemetery.
This exercise had a few twists to it, different from many straightforward simulations.
“This Installation Active Shooter exercise differed from previous exercises in two significant ways,” added Grimes. “This exercise included a realistic and ambitious hostage negotiation scenario and exercised extended consequence management into Casualty Affairs and Next-of-Kin notification. Four USAF commanders and NoK teams were dispatched to conduct simulated deceased members’ Next of Kin notifications.”
Because of the secondary situation, local area experts were brought in to assist in the hostage negotiation simulation.
“The hostage negotiation training involved the Federal Corrections Institute, Army Criminal Investigation Division and Ocean County Office of Emergency Management,” continued Grimes.
With the added scenarios, the exercise was an all-day event, starting at 8 a.m. and ending close to 4 p.m. and being a no-notice exercise, the Inspector General office was pleased with how everything was handled.
“Absolutely, the exercise was a great success,” said Grimes. “The relationships that JB MDL forged with the FBI, CID and Ocean County will be invaluable to our interoperability with these agencies in the event of an actual contingency. Also, each of these agencies had the opportunity to conduct cross tell of their tactics, techniques and procedures. We learned from each other, greatly strengthening our mutual skills.”
With this and every exercise, the Joint Base practices the correct procedures in preparation that one day the wavering tone is heard signifying to real-world event.