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Marauders, host nation conduct MARE, test emergency response

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Airmen at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing and their host nation partners participated in a Major Accident Response Exercise here Sept. 18.

"The MARE is an exercise to practice any kind of large accident such as a natural disaster, large vehicle accident, building fire and aircraft accident," said Lt. Col. Joseph Granducci, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing inspector general and exercise coordinator. "MAREs also test the wing's ability to command and control."

For this MARE, the wing responded to a simulated C-130 crash landing. The simulated crash had 10 casualties, which tested U.S. Air Force and host nation emergency responders.

The exercise allowed the wing and host nation partners an opportunity for all emergency responders to join forces and participate in a realistic scenario.

The 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team set up controlled fires for both fire departments. The live burns simulated fires in two different locations for the exercise in which the fire departments responded.

Each fire department had a required amount of time to respond, arrive on scene and begin fighting the fire.

"It was beneficial for both the Air Force and host nation partners to work together and prepare for multiple incidents that are within the realm of our scope," said Tech. Sgt. Carlos Chavez, 386th ECES on-scene commander. "If there was any special equipment needed we were able to identify it."

It is important for Airmen to realize that a MARE will not always be a smooth and easy process, said Senior Master Sgt. William Ducote, 386th ECES fire chief.

"The entire scene is organized chaos, not like you see in the movies," he explained. "Successful responses, regardless of how they look from the outsider's perspective, are measured by first responder's safe reaction to the scene, saving as many lives as possible and returning them back to their respective work stations."

The mass casualty site was located separately from the fires and simulated the aircraft crash site.

In addition to working with the fire department, the host nation medical personnel worked side-by-side with their American counterparts.

Upon receiving the emergency call, the medical group grabbed their bags and jumped into the ambulance.

"We arrived shortly after the host nation medical personnel and discovered the fire department had control over the scene," said Tech. Sgt. Brooke Davison-Billings, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, flight medicine. "The host nation partners helped with patient care," Billings said.

Each patient was given a scenario card with specific information regarding of their simulated injuries.

"A host national translated the scenario cards for his colleagues," Billings said, as a few took care of patients as other members of medical group continued with patient care.

"Communication was a key to success in this exercise," she added. "We had to coordinate with the host nation personnel despite the language barrier. They did a great job treating the patients while learning how to use Air Force specific equipment."

Across the wing, Airmen stepped up to the challenge presented by the MARE to respond efficiently.

"We had a few obstacles during the exercise," Granducci said. "Everything was corrected on the spot and we carried on."