Training to act: Whiteman conducts MARE

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Barebo
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 509th Bomb Wing conducted an emergency response exercise here, Feb. 10, 2010.

The exercise tested the abilities of Team Whiteman to identify and control a threat, and coordinate a response effort within Whiteman AFB and any surrounding communities involved.

At approximately 9:15 a.m., a letter was delivered to the 509th Mission Support Group office in the Wing Headquarters building. Upon opening the letter, a white powdery substance fell out.

"It fell all over the desk and my clothes," said Mary Heppner, 509th Mission Support Group secretary. "I immediately called 9-1-1 and reported the incident."

Everyone in the 509th MSG office at the time confined themselves allowing no one in or out of the office while they awaited emergency response.

The fire alarm for the building was set off and the personnel outside of the 509th MSG office were evacuated. The 509th Security Forces Squadron and Fire Department responded and cordoned off the building, allowing entrance only to essential personnel.

"Security Forces and the fire department are always the first to arrive on-scene," said Gregory Smith, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department. "We work closely together to get the job done as quickly and safely as possible."

Once the situation was assessed and the simulated threat was determined, the bio-environmental office was called in to set up a mobile decontamination unit.

"We make every effort to make the exercises out to be as real as possible," said Lt. Col. Wittrock, 509th Bomb Wing chief wing plans and programs. "Preparation is the key and we exercise to a variety of possible scenarios to ensure Whiteman is as ready as possible. If something doesn't work during training, we fix it before a real situation arises and we run into real problems."

Emergency responders acted out all areas of a real response from wearing the proper protective equipment to providing first-aid, decontamination and medical transportation.

"Overall everyone performed well and the exercise provided some good training for both our seasoned responders and our newcomers," Colonel Wittrock said.