AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force defenders with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron move into Camp Italy during an active shooter joint exercise at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

An Italian Carabinieri military police officer directs U.S. Air Force defenders with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron to the scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force defenders with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron move into Camp Italy during an active shooter joint exercise at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Carmer, a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron defender, moves into Camp Italy during an active shooter joint exercise at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Woods, a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron defender, sweeps a building during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Conner Montgomery, a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron defender, sweeps a building during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Carmer, a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron defender, sweeps a building inside Camp Italy during an active shooter joint exercise at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Woods, a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron defender, sweeps a building during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

A U.S. Air Force 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog arrives on scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters and 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron personnel arrive on scene to check the status of the casualties during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 242 special agent Anthony Polizzi, left, and an Italian Carabinieri military police officer, right, investigate a scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 242 special agent Daniel Brooks, left, questions a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron defender regarding an investigation during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

A Canadian military police officer, left, arrives on scene to assist U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 242 special agent Chase Hughes, right, during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 242 special agents and Italian Carabinieri military police officers investigate a scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

Italian and American forces discuss how to improve their processes after an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

Italian medical personnel work to remove a casualty from the scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

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AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

Italian medical personnel work to remove a casualty from the scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

Italian medical personnel work to remove a casualty from the scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

Italian medical personnel work to remove a casualty from the scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

Italian medical personnel work to remove a casualty from the scene during an active shooter joint exercise inside Camp Italy at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, April 13, 2023. American, Italian, and Canadian forces all came together to conduct this exercise in order to gain a better understanding of each forces’ first responder capabilities. Joint ventures like this not only improve security at AASAB, but also increase the cohesion between U.S. forces and coalition partners during crisis response efforts. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Devan Halstead)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise

Published April 21, 2023

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait --

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait – American, Italian, and Canadian forces participated in AASAB’s first coalition active shooter exercise on April 13, 2023.

The exercise broke new ground in the partnership between the multinational force here at AASAB, giving each countries’ personnel a chance to increase their communication with one another as well as improve processes within their own ranks.

“It was actually the Italians who reached out to us and suggested we perform the exercise at their camp,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alex S. Rich, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing inspector general. “I think this sets a great precedent and demonstrates a strong desire amongst our partners to work even closer together.”

This sentiment was echoed by Italian Air Force Maj. A. D., Task Force Air-Kuwait Force Protection Unit commander.

“It is our leadership’s intent to engage in more activities with our American allies,” said Maj. A. D. “I was very happy to hear that the Americans accepted our invitation to have the exercise here with us. Knowing how your allies work makes it much easier to support each other effectively.”

According to Maj. A. D., much was learned on the Italian side during the exercise.

“We found out we can make some substantial improvements to the way we share command and control,” said Maj. A. D. “In the future we will try to integrate one of our people into the American command and control so we can have a direct line to one another.”

Maj. A. D. mentioned that the Italian medical personnel gained the most from this exercise and that they will work to create new processes and procedures to better prepare for if the worst were to happen.

“There were some pleasant surprises during this exercise,” said Rich. “Our investigators sent out a call for support and a Canadian military police officer answered that call almost instantly. That was not intended. That was not even part of the exercise, but I loved to see it.”

Both Rich and Maj. A. D. expressed their excitement for the future of the multinational partnership here at AASAB.

When asked what was next Rich said, “In a couple months we’ll have a brand new rotation of personnel come in. How do we set them up for success? We ensure that the partnerships we’ve built here outlast us.”