Exercise prepares BAFB for natural disaster

  • Published
  • By Stephanie Bemrose
  • The Bombardier
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale units discussed their roles in the event of a severe weather crisis situation during a table-top major accident response exercise Wednesday, the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Team Barksdale members discussed what each base agency would do in preparation for and response to a tornado, according to Maj. Brett Wilkinson, chief of wing exercises.

According to Major Wilkinson, the primary goal of the exercise is to help agencies learn to work together during an accident.

"We need to make sure we know what the other agencies would do during these situations, so throughout the year, we go through different scenarios such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks and aircraft accidents," the major said.

One agency that participated in the exercise is the 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs, who prepared for the exercise by working with the Delaware Air National Guard public affairs office, according to 1st Lt. Frank Hartnett, deputy chief of the bomb wing's public affairs.

"Three years ago a tornado struck the Delaware Air National Guard base," Lieutenant Hartnett said. "We've been using their real-word experience to better understand what the commander will need to communicate after a tornado."

Major Wilkinson also said the exercise included an emphasis on command and control.

"It's just making sure the right information gets sent up and therefore people can react to that proper communication and provide the necessary help and assistance the first time, every time," the major explained.

During the exercise, public affairs stood ready to provide this communication.

"Keeping people informed is difficult after a major weather disaster, but it can play a big role in helping the recovery effort," the lieutenant added. "If a major storm were to strike Barksdale, the outside community would be very concerned. They'd want to see how we would respond and overcome challenges after a storm. We need to be ready to show our neighbors how we can overcome obstacles and be ready to help defend this country."

Other than the MARE to prepare for the airshow in April, base agencies last participated in a MARE with a suspicious package scenario.

The next MARE is scheduled for Oct. 3 and will include a field exercise.