Klaxon, base siren: more than just lights and sounds

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  It's Monday morning and many are either sound asleep, or well into their work day when the sounds of the klaxon and base siren carry across the base.

The klaxon is tested every Monday at 10:00 a.m. during a normal work week to make sure it is still running properly.

"The klaxon is an audio and visual system," said Master Sgt. Lowell Bowen, 2nd Bomb Wing Command Post Operations NCO in-charge. "The audio system is the loud sound you hear during the test, and the visual aspect is when the klaxon lights flash along the roads and inside the buildings."

Typically, the klaxon is used for testing; however, everyone on base should understand and follow proper procedures when it is being tested.

"The klaxon is used to tell the base that alert vehicles are reporting to designated areas," said Senior Airman Kyle Jeter, CP controller. "Pedestrians should allow alert vehicles to pass and any other traffic should pull over."

Klaxons are essentially a way to clear the roads to allow alert vehicles to their destination, said Jeter.

While the klaxon helps with traffic control, the base siren is used to warn Barksdale of any disaster/incident affecting the base or if an attack/hostile act is imminent, or in progress.

"Any time you hear the base siren the loud voice will follow," said Jeter. "The loud voice will let the base know what is happening and what actions to take."

The base siren is also tested every Monday at noon; however, no loud voice will be heard after the test is over.

"If anyone is unsure of what actions to take when the base siren is going off, they should refer to their Airman's Manual," said Bowen.

While Monday is only a test day, it is vital Team Barksdale adheres to all procedures and instructions dictated by each respective alarm on any given time of day.

"Failure to adhere to notification systems, like the klaxon, will delay emergency and aircrew response," said Bowen.