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MARE tests 20FW vigilance, response

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Emily Chilson
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Airmen of the 20th Fighter Wing participated in an anti-terrorism major accident response exercise Aug. 14 here. 

As a build-up to the MARE, the 20th FW plans and inspections office began disseminating simulated intelligence reports indicating increased terrorist activity Monday, Aug. 10, and continued to throughout the week. 

"We provide the objectives, scenario and script for the wing's exercise evaluation teams to build on to ensure specific evaluation points are exercised and evaluated," said Capt. Dave Jones, 20th FW chief of inspections. 

To defend the base, Shaw Airmen increased surveillance and heightened security measures over the course of the week depending on the severity of the potential threats. 

Erik Singletary, 20th FW exercise and inspections director, pointed out MAREs challenge Airmen to balance the real-world mission and time constraints with the objectives of the exercise. 

The MARE began Friday at about 10 a.m. when two buildings were attacked. 

"We had a diversionary conventional bomb attack at the old NCO club, and a covert improvised bio-agent device delivered to the wing headquarters," explained Singletary, wing exercise and inspections director. 

People reported the attacks, evacuated the buildings immediately and reported to designated safe areas for accountability and to check for possible simulated contamination. 

"While every part of the process is important when dealing with a biological threat, the initial actions are absolutely critical because they are the most chaotic," Captain Jones added. "Assessing the threat and reacting to it real-time requires a pre-coordinated plan." 

The first to arrive on-scene were fire and security units, emergency medical technicians and explosive ordnance disposal teams. 

"All first responders were needed and responded to both scenes," Singletary said. "Many tools and high-tech equipment were utilized in response to the attack, including robots, level-A suits and various detection devices." 

"Physically, the heat while wearing protective gear is always tough," he said. "Much of the gear is very hot and cumbersome."

Simultaneously with the first-responders, Airmen who make up the emergency operations center, including 20th FW leadership, reported to their posts in order to track and assess damage. 

Each emergency support function in the EOC is responsible for tracking response progress in their respective fields so the wing commander and his support staff can make educated decisions as the base recovers from the attacks and the MARE runs its course. 

Exercises like this anti-terrorism MARE are fundamental in preparing Airmen to not only prevent, but also to respond to homeland terrorist attacks. 

"The purpose of the MARE was to test the 20th FW's ability to process intelligence, make adjustments to security posturing and react to an unconventional attack on Shaw," Captain Jones said. 

According to news reports, authorities in North Carolina recently made seven arrests when a terrorist ring was discovered. Although the alleged terrorists were plotting attacks overseas, the potential exists for those attacks to turn stateside, and that's why military installations like Shaw AFB must be prepared. 

"The goal is always to sharpen our swords and raise our shields," Singletary said. "We want to remind people of the threats that are still out there, and to prepare to react to those threats."

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MARE tests 20FW vigilance, response

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Emily Chilson
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Airmen of the 20th Fighter Wing participated in an anti-terrorism major accident response exercise Aug. 14 here. 

As a build-up to the MARE, the 20th FW plans and inspections office began disseminating simulated intelligence reports indicating increased terrorist activity Monday, Aug. 10, and continued to throughout the week. 

"We provide the objectives, scenario and script for the wing's exercise evaluation teams to build on to ensure specific evaluation points are exercised and evaluated," said Capt. Dave Jones, 20th FW chief of inspections. 

To defend the base, Shaw Airmen increased surveillance and heightened security measures over the course of the week depending on the severity of the potential threats. 

Erik Singletary, 20th FW exercise and inspections director, pointed out MAREs challenge Airmen to balance the real-world mission and time constraints with the objectives of the exercise. 

The MARE began Friday at about 10 a.m. when two buildings were attacked. 

"We had a diversionary conventional bomb attack at the old NCO club, and a covert improvised bio-agent device delivered to the wing headquarters," explained Singletary, wing exercise and inspections director. 

People reported the attacks, evacuated the buildings immediately and reported to designated safe areas for accountability and to check for possible simulated contamination. 

"While every part of the process is important when dealing with a biological threat, the initial actions are absolutely critical because they are the most chaotic," Captain Jones added. "Assessing the threat and reacting to it real-time requires a pre-coordinated plan." 

The first to arrive on-scene were fire and security units, emergency medical technicians and explosive ordnance disposal teams. 

"All first responders were needed and responded to both scenes," Singletary said. "Many tools and high-tech equipment were utilized in response to the attack, including robots, level-A suits and various detection devices." 

"Physically, the heat while wearing protective gear is always tough," he said. "Much of the gear is very hot and cumbersome."

Simultaneously with the first-responders, Airmen who make up the emergency operations center, including 20th FW leadership, reported to their posts in order to track and assess damage. 

Each emergency support function in the EOC is responsible for tracking response progress in their respective fields so the wing commander and his support staff can make educated decisions as the base recovers from the attacks and the MARE runs its course. 

Exercises like this anti-terrorism MARE are fundamental in preparing Airmen to not only prevent, but also to respond to homeland terrorist attacks. 

"The purpose of the MARE was to test the 20th FW's ability to process intelligence, make adjustments to security posturing and react to an unconventional attack on Shaw," Captain Jones said. 

According to news reports, authorities in North Carolina recently made seven arrests when a terrorist ring was discovered. Although the alleged terrorists were plotting attacks overseas, the potential exists for those attacks to turn stateside, and that's why military installations like Shaw AFB must be prepared. 

"The goal is always to sharpen our swords and raise our shields," Singletary said. "We want to remind people of the threats that are still out there, and to prepare to react to those threats."