Active Shooter base exercise prepares Airmen for emergencies

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Austin Pate,
  • 316th Wing Public Affairs

Airmen across Joint Base Andrews worked together in emergency response mode during an active shooter Total Force Readiness exercise at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 30, 2022.

Total Force Readiness is a Readiness Exercise that is used to determine if installation personnel and plans are ready for wartime and deployed scenarios. The scenario also included a chemical attack to add to the realism of the scenario.

RE scenarios include the generation, employment and sustainment of missions and personnel in a contested, degraded and operationally limited environment.

During the active shooter scenario, Airmen focused on emergency response and recovery actions and procedures, continuity of operations, and personnel accountability for all personnel throughout the installation.

The 316th Wing and its mission partners participated in the exercise, which included command and control of subordinate units, as well as fostering partner and tenant interoperability to facilitate awareness and incident response around the installation.

The Airmen involved were evaluated on their actions during the exercise, such as how they communicated with one another, tracked down the target(s), and attempted to save lives. These types of exercises are typically executed four times a year at JBA.

“All exercises ask one question, ‘what are you going to do if this happens?,’” said Master Sgt. Steven Nowicki, 316th Wing Inspector General superintendent. “As an Airman, and a resident of JBA, each exercise is an opportunity to prove to yourself and leadership you have the proper training and capability to perform your task under a contested, degraded and operationally limited environment. Our exercises are important because your lives are essential and they are the source of all mission success.”