MINOT, N.D. -- Exercise, exercise, exercise! A bomb has exploded inside the Minot International Airport, resulting in massive casualties. The building caught on fire, and as the police arrive, they learn a person has run back inside with some kind of improvised explosive device attached to their body. The fire department, bomb squad, Special Weapons and Tactics team, Minot AFB fire department and bomb squad are called to provide support for the crisis situation.

This is the scenario tested during the major accident response exercise at Minot June 4.

"The airport is required to conduct a full-scale exercise once every three years," said Amanda Schooling, Ward County homeland security planner. "It's an opportunity to identify areas we excelled in, as well as identify any potential problem areas."

The process for planning an exercise of this magnitude is extensive. The first planning meeting was in March. Representatives from all branches of Minot's emergency response units attended monthly meetings, including members from Minot's local emergency planning council. Once the scenario was constructed, all that was left to do was execute the plan.

Participants for this year's exercise were the Minot Police Department, Central Dispatch, Bomb Squad, SWAT, Fire, Community Ambulance, North Dakota Highway Patrol, Minot International Airport, Ward County Emergency Management and Minot AFB. Burdick Job Corps supplied role players for victims.

"The airport exercise truly tested local and DoD [Department of Defense] emergency responders," said Rodney Onstott, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency management deputy chief. "That initial, coordinated response by emergency personnel is critical in the protection of human life and our critical infrastructures. This exercise tested just that, providing our civil emergency responders and Air Force Fire Department, Explosive Ordinance Disposal and medical personnel an excellent opportunity to work together in a stressful situation."