SOUTHWEST ASIA - Airmen from the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron run for a bunker during an air missile defense exercise May 15, 2012. The exercise tested the wing's ability to respond and recover in the event of an attack. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski)
SOUTHWEST ASIA--Tech. Sgt. Chris Tilstra from the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron takes accountability during a bunker dive drill during an air missile defense exercise at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia May 15, 2012. During the exercise, the wing reaffirmed its readiness in case of a missile attack. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA--Staff Sgt. Daniel Hamden from the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron prepares to do an unexploded ordnance sweep as Tech. Sgt. Stephen Payne, an exercise evaluator from the 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, looks on during an air missile defense exercise at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia May 15, 2012. During the exercise, the wing reaffirmed its readiness in case of a missile attack. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
SOUTHWEST ASIA--Staff Sgt. Daniel Hamden, Tech. Sgt. Chris Tilstra and Senior Airman Jon Dones, all from the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, read a base map in preparation to cordon off an area where a simulated unexploded ordnance was found during an air missile defense exercise at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia May 15, 2012. During the exercise, the wing reaffirmed their readiness in case of a missile attack. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)
by Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
5/16/2012 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing reaffirmed their readiness during an air missile defense exercise May 15.
The exercise, specifically the "bunker dive" portion of the scenario, evaluated how service members, responded to alerts of theater ballistic missiles approaching and then impacting the installation.
"Exercises give us the chance to identify potential faults and fix them before we have a real-world situation," said Master Sgt. Bill Hoeft, the wing plans and programs superintendent and Rochester, Minn., native deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "We have a high turnover rate while deployed, so it's also important to exercise while deployed so everyone knows what to do."
In the event of a real attack, Army Patriot missile batteries would provide the first line of defense. If any missiles got past that, it's important for people - especially at a deployed location - to know what to do, Hoeft said,.
"A threat in this part of the world is very real, so if we're ever attacked we all have to be prepared to do what we need to and get back to the fight," Hoeft said.
As part of the "bunker dive," exercise participants were required to don their helmets and vests and seek cover in a fortified bunker, just like they would during a real attack. Once the alarm sounded signaling the attack was over, post-attack reconnaissance teams surveyed their areas looking for specific hazards, especially unexploded ordnance.
"We have to go out and find any UXOs so we can report them to the (explosive ordnance disposal technicians)," said Senior Airman Jon Dones, a PAR team member and Coral Springs, Fla., native deployed from Barksdale AFB, La.
The event was part of a larger exercise across many installations in Southwest Asia, challenging Airmen to participate in the training while still accomplishing their real world missions.
"The bunker dive portion of the exercise only lasted a few hours and provided invaluable training for our people," Hoeft said. "What's great is we were able to pull it off while still flying the (air tasking order). Everyone who could respond to the exercise did, so this goes a long way to keeping our skills honed."
"What it all comes down to," Hoeft added, "is if we are ever attacked, we're ready to respond."
