Upcoming exercise helps keep joint base prepared Published April 29, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Drill, simulation, evolution, training, operation, exercise or "war games," all mean the same thing: preparing military forces for real-world situations. No matter where they are held, exercises can impact both the base and local communities. The joint base's next force protection condition exercise is scheduled for May 26-30 and will demonstrate quick response forces. To ensure individuals know exactly what impacts will affect them during the exercise, joint base personnel should expect to see gate closures and barriers in place throughout the week, said Lt. Col. Eric Moomey, 87th Air Base Wing inspector general. "The primary impact will be to the traffic flow and the freedom of movement to the base in general," he said. "I would encourage members to be vigilant and understand their surroundings; traffic is going to be an issue. You may have, in your mind, a route that you're going to take to get to an appointment and you may be vectored around that. Remain patient and follow the instructions and they'll get you to your appointment on time." Access to specific areas around the base was kept in mind while organizing the exercise, Moomey added. "We were concerned with impacts to schools and essential services, such as the medical clinic. All those will remain open," he said. "You may have some inconveniences, so we encourage everyone to put a little more time into their travel plans and follow all the guidance security forces has if they're directing traffic. Just exercise some patience, it's a fairly short exercise, and we'll all get through it together." The exercise is designed to ensure installation readiness in case of any threats or hazards to the base. During the exercise, joint base members will respond to changing FPCONs and respond to command directives. The training will focus on honing response skills of installation personnel. Exercise planners recognize this will occur just after Memorial Day and the base won't be seeing an immediate start, Moomey stated. The intent is to have a full start a day or so after the holiday. "The installation commander, Col. James Hodges, is very committed to the health and safety of his personnel and resources," Moomey said. "The mission of this is to validate the planned expertise of the members working through the force protection measures we already have in place and to ensure we're ready."