Misawa City hosts multi-lateral disaster exercise

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jeff M. Nagan
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Misawa Air Base servicemembers participated with both Japan Self-Defense Force and Misawa City agencies in a disaster preparedness exercise Oct. 5 at the Misawa City port. 

During the exercise, the groups worked together to respond to a mock earthquake and tsunami.

"The exercise provided an opportunity for all emergency response organizations to demonstrate capabilities and work together during a simulated disaster, said Senior Master Sgt. J. D. Felty, fire chief, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron. "It also provided an opportunity for the public and community leaders to see they will be well protected and taken care of during a disaster."

Following the opening ceremony, the exercise kicked off with warning vehicles announcing the mock incident and cordoning the area.

To help train rescue workers, two swimmers had to be lifted from the water appropriately. The rescue workers used a vehicle-mounted crane, positioned near the water's edge, to hoist the swimmers out of the water and onto the dock.

"We were exercising with the JSDF as well as our civilian Japanese counterparts," said Capt. Talib Ali, flight surgeon and head of the primary response team, 35th Medical Group. "It was a great opportunity to meet our counterparts and for them to get to know their counterparts. It also enabled us to get to see how the whole situation would transpire in case of an emergency. It was a great exercise. For a lot of people, this was their first time exercising with the Japanese."

The culmination of the disaster preparedness exercise involved multiple agencies rescuing dummies from a downed structure. Additionally, in preparation for the event, Airmen from the medical group used paint and other props to simulate injuries on Japanese volunteers who were mock victims.

"This exercise has been extremely effective," said Col. Guillermo Tellez, commander, 35th Medical Group. "We've been able to know what resources are available out in the community and how we can blend and merge our services with theirs to provide maximum causality care."

Members of 35th CES along with JSDF and Misawa organizations cut through the structure and pulled dummies from the wreckage. Simultaneously, mock victims were treated by medical personnel from all the medical agencies participating in the exercise.

"The exercise allows interaction of standard of care and the management of mass causalities of patients," said Colonel Tellez. "It allows our Japanese as well as our American counterparts to work closely together to exchange ideas and improve responsiveness."

Following the rescue, the structure was ignited. Base, JASDF, and Misawa City firefighters worked together to extinguish the fire, which was put out in mere moments.

"This exercise has helped us see the capabilities of other fire departments," said Senior Airman Sean Willeford, hand line operator, 35th CES. "If we ever do get an emergency like this, we know we can work together and get things accomplished. I appreciate having the opportunity to come out here and work with the local fire departments and seeing the big picture."