SOUTHWEST ASIA - Firefighters from the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron assist a simulated casualty with severe burns, played by Senior Airman Kristopher Hawkins, a 386th Expeditionary Medical Group medical technician, during a major accident response exercise Dec. 29, 2011. Personnel base-wide took part in this MARE, which evaluated their ability to respond and recover from simultaneous major accidents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael McCool)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA -- A firefighter with the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron extinguishes a fire, which was a simulated MQ-1 Predator aircraft after a simulated mid-air collision during a major accident response exercise Dec. 29, 2011. Personnel base-wide took part in this MARE, which evaluated their ability to respond and recover from simultaneous major accidents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Peter Ising)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Simulated casualties await triage after a simulated aircraft crash during the major accident response exercise Dec. 29, 2011. Medical technicians triage volunteers with various wounds to add realism to the medical portion of the MARE here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael McCool)

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386th AEW conducts end-of-year MARE

Published Dec. 31, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Stacy Fowler
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In a deployed environment, anything can happen - and preparation is the key to managing it.

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing practiced a "what if" scenario of a mid-air collision mixed with some medical triage and fire suppression during a major accident response exercise here Dec. 29, 2011.

"We try to make sure we are prepared for any contingency in a deployed location," said Maj. David Lann, 386th AEW Plans and Programs and Inspector General office. "These exercises help us stay sharp, as well as ensure new personnel coming in get accustomed to the local procedures and physical surroundings."

MAREs can be designed to simulate any kind of incident such as a hazardous chemical spill, aircraft crash or terrorist attack. They can be conducted with installation personnel or with host-nation participants as well. Each exercise provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the wing's response and procedures to ensure the wing is best prepared for any incident that may occur.