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Shooter, sirens prep Minot AFB

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Thomas Dow
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The morning silence was shattered by sirens March 26 as Airmen from Minot Air Force Base responded to a mock attack during a massive accident response exercise at the McAdoo Sports and Fitness Center here.

More than 50 evaluators and exercise planners, including local and state emergency management staff, FBI, Minot Police Department and Trinity Hospital, as well as more than 50 volunteers came together to create a realistic simulation of an attack by an active shooter assault at the base fitness center.

P.J. Pallotta, 5th Bomb Wing anti-terrorism officer, explained the exercise consisted of teams of security forces whose mission would be to neutralize the gunman in the fitness center, rescue those trapped in the facility and secure the scene. Follow-on emergency responders, to include fire and medical forces, then dealt with multiple casualties as a result of the shootings and from a low-grade dirty bomb that had been detonated by the gunman.

"Simultaneously, the rest of the base went into lockdown and all major control centers (Crisis Action Team, Emergency Operations Center, Missile Response Cell and unit control centers) were activated," said Pallotta. "Even our elementary schools on base practiced lockdown procedures. It was a very plausible scenario."

All these activities were done under the watchful eyes of Exercise Evaluation Teams, or EETs. These base evaluators watched to see how responders reacted to different situations.

"The main objectives we evaluated were how the base gets initial notification out, responds to the threat, and finally recovers to resume operations," said Maj. John D. Walsh, 5th Bomb Wing conventional inspections chief.

Major Walsh said while Airmen do not have control over the kinds of disasters they encounter, they do have control over how they react when put in dangerous situations.

"This training is key," the major said. "It can literally make the difference between life and death."

The importance of such exercise training wasn't lost on Tech. Sgt. Kerry Koepp, Minot AFB Anti-terrorism Officer.

"This exercise was a great training tool for all entities, but especially important to Security Forces," said Sergeant Koepp. "Initial responding security forces were faced with mass panic, personnel fleeing the scene and chaos inside the facility, all with minimal information at their disposal. Trying to gather information, secure a scene, and be ready to accept follow-on emergency responders, all in a short time, is a monumental task."

"From an anti-terrorism perspective, it was a terrific opportunity for all base personnel to practice their Force Protection Condition Delta and sheltering-in-place actions," the Sergeant added. "There's no doubt that a quick and effective response by the base populace will save lives."

With so many moving parts in motion during a crisis situation, communication between 5th BW and 91st Missile Wing responders is vital to ensuring the right thing happens at all times.

"It is important that our leadership and emergency responders practice the teamwork and communication needed for such an incident," said Timothy Allen, 91st MW antiterrorism officer. "When you're in a high stress situation like this, your actions will inevitably fall back to your training."

To provide added realism, some Airmen arrived at the base hospital at 5:30 a.m. to be moulage victims. The Airmen volunteered to assist exercise planners by portraying panicked, injured and even dead victims. Some stayed in the main cardio room acting as victims of the dirty bomb while others simply sprawled on the gymnasium floor covered in fake blood and realistic injuries as a result of the mass shooting.

Overall the Airmen of Minot AFB performed their tasks with precision and unfailing resolve. Had the situation been real, Col. Julian Tolbert, 5th Bomb Wing vice commander, said the base would have been ready.

"The Airmen who participated in todays exercise showed focus and a willingness to overcome the many obstacles seen with such a scenario," he said. "It's unfortunate we must train for days like today, but I feel confident knowing the base has skilled professionals ready to react to any situation."

As a final reminder to the base populous Rod Onstott, Minot AFB emergency manager, explained all base personnel, active duty, civilian, and dependents, need to learn and understand their role when it comes to FPCON Delta and how to shelter-in-place.

"When Command Post activates the Emergency Management Notification System and Giant Voice, people need to realize something is happening on the base and it affects everyone," said Onstott.

Normally, after the Giant Voice Message people will hear the Air Force standard alarm signal, a three to five minute steady or wavering tone from the base siren. It's very important all personnel take cover and shelter in place. If they are at home, lock the doors, turn on a radio or television and await further instruction. If they are outside, they should go to the closest building for cover. If they are already in a building like the Base Exchange or the Commissary it is very important to follow the instructions given by the employees, they have been trained on what to do.