Joint exercise strengthens base synergy

Published Oct. 23, 2015
By Senior Airman Tara A. Williamson
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- A joint, total-force platform training exercise to demonstrate the installation's ability to respond during an emergency event was held from Oct. 20-23, here.

Members of the four Air Force wings and the 99th Regional Support Command partnered with local hospitals to participate in the Air Force-led exercise, designed for the service members to "train to fight" for real-world situations.

"This training is conducted to ensure the joint base can respond to major attacks, changing FPCONs and respond to command directives," said David Sterle, an 87th Air Base Wing Inspector General. "The training focused on honing response skills of emergency first responders and installation personnel."

The exercise spanned four days and consisted of simulated chemical attacks, a suspicious package, medical evacuations and increased force-protection conditions.

"The events afforded an opportunity for various processes and functions, commands and even different service components to integrate in response to an external threat," Sterle said. "We showed mission partners can operate together efficiently and effectively toward a common goal."

Soldiers with the 99th RSC have utilized joint base exercises for internal training in the past, but on a small scale. This was the first that included their entire facility and follow-on incidents.

"As a Soldier who has deployed, I am fully aware and appreciative of my fellow services and the value they bring to the fight," Lt. Col. Joseph Ricker, 99th RSC Operations chief. "Every service needs to work together to win for our nation."

Role players were used as perpetrators and victims, adding urgency and realism to the scenarios. Emergency response team members had to react to each situation as it was played out by the actors.

Members of the wing inspection team watched the scenarios play out to provide feedback on each piece to organizers and leaders afterward.

One of the largest features was a mass casualty chemical attack scenario at the 99th RSC headquarters.

Members of the 99th RSC were able to practice their evacuation and response procedures, while base security forces, command and control, fire department and more, practiced and inspected their processes.

Several role players were transported to the Lourdes Emergency Room in Browns Mills, New Jersey, where medical professionals demonstrated their ability to respond to an influx of patients from a chemical attack.

Ricker said he plans to continue participating in exercises with the joint base.

"It is a time saver and great tool that we don't have the manpower or internal tools to do as often on our own," he said. "I hope we are even more involved in the next exercise."