Article Display

Shaw tests response skills

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Shaw Airmen were put to the test Nov. 16 when an unexpected Major Accident Response Exercise kicked off in the early morning.

The MARE tests the capability of Airmen to respond to an accident, disaster or catastrophe, such as a plane or car crash, explosion or attack. In this case, a simulated terrorist chemical attack tested Shaw.

"This exercise provides a great opportunity to evaluate our Airmen's accident response skills and their capability to interact with the local community emergency response teams," said Col. James Post, 20th Fighter Wing commander.

During the wing's bi-weekly warrior run and Turkey Trot 5K race the simulated attack occurred to test the reaction skills of the Airmen.

The 20th Security Forces Squadron stopped a suspected terrorist 100 feet from the crowd of runners. Everyone watched as the suspect was apprehended and taken into custody.

Immediately following the police action, smoke began to pour from the bed of a nearby truck. Some were still finishing the run when smoke filled the area across the finish line simulating a hazardous material. After everyone scrambled to get away from the substance, Shaw's emergency response personnel arrived to assess the situation and help anyone caught in scenario.

The emergency response trio comprised of the 20th Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness flight and the 20th CES Fire Department, have been practicing scenarios in the past and that practice paid off because they excelled in the exercise, said 1st Lt. Erica Etter, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management Flight commander.

Sumter's Tuomey Medical Center and local law enforcement played in the exercise as well, said Major William Culver, 20th FW chief of wing's plans and inspections. Sumter County EMS provided ambulances for transport of simulated injured and dead and Tuomey got the opportunity to try out their new decontamination facilities while treating the simulated victims.

"Both Shaw AFB and the Sumter community worked together during this exercise," Major Culver said. "This type of practice highlights our capability to react as a team if an incident does occur."