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Grissom conducts active-shooter exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  It is the worst of scenarios -- disgruntled gunmen open fire on innocent and unsuspecting people in the workplace while shots ring out amplifying the fog of confusion.

While this scenario has not happened at Grissom, 434th Air Refueling Wing leadership held an active-shooter exercise to test the base's reaction to such an incident July 13, 2013.

The 'gunmen' were staged to attack a critical component of Grissom's infrastructure during the exercise that was designed to test the ability of the base's command and control, security, and fire protection abilities as well as individual office plans created for such an event.

"Typically we have about seven to nine events a year where we practice different scenarios," said Lt. Col. Chuck Good, 434th ARW combat readiness officer. "We want to do them often enough to keep people familiar with their roles and actions."

With plans in place, and under the watchful eyes of base exercise evaluation team members, the scenario unfolded.

Unit members sprang into action, locking doors and taking cover to protect themselves and government assets as alarms and alerts sounded.

After the all clear rang out ending the exercise, EET members reviewed their notes and provided the base with positive results and lessons learned for the next time.

However, next time will always be different with new lessons to learn as the base tests itself not just on man-made situations, but any emergency situation that could arise.

"The regulations require we test the base on not only terrorist or terror incidents, but also natural disasters," said Good, who added that in the end it's all about being prepared for whatever may come.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the globe in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer