Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, extinguish a simulated aircraft fire during a mishap response exercise aboard MCAS Miramar, Sept. 3. Marines with ARFF worked alongside the installation’s fire department during the required training.
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar / 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story by Cpl. Alissa Schuning and Cpl. Michael Thorn
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Marines, Sailors and civilians aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, participated in two emergency response exercises Sept. 2 and 3.
The exercises consisted of an active shooter response scenario exercise and an aircraft mishap response scenario exercise aboard the air station.
“We conducted training for the past two days on a series of all hazard events,” said Kevin Kelley, MCAS Miramar emergency manager. “Emergency personnel have thought through the scenarios and possibilities, made sure that we’ve executed our plans to the best of our capability, and if we have any deficiencies or short falls, we have the chance to correct or mitigate [them.] So if the time comes, we’re able to execute and make sure the commanding officer is getting the support that he would expect.”
During the active shooter response exercise, two acting gunmen simulated attacks from different vantage points. Military and civilian police officers then responded to the attacks, primarily neutralizing the threat and responding to victims.
“I feel like it’s important to hone in on these skill sets,” said Cpl. Desean White, a military police officer with the Provost Marshal’s Office. “It’s easy to get complacent. We always want to be proactive as Marines.”
The aircraft mishap response exercise simulated two different crash sites for the base fire department and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting to respond to. Both simulated crashes required personnel to quickly extinguish any simulated fires and locate crash victims.
“We practiced responding to a midair collision,” said Kelley. “That forced ARFF and the base fire department to come and work together on two different crash sites, something that we haven’t done in the past.”
According to Kelly, this training takes place at this time of the year to assess emergency assets as everyone prepares for the upcoming MCAS Miramar Air Show, coming Oct. 2 – 4.
Firefighters stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, perform first aid on a simulated crash victim during an aircraft mishap response exercise aboard the air station, Sept. 3. The aircraft mishap response exercise required Marine and civilian firefighters aboard the installation to both extinguish simulated aircraft fires and provide aid to simulated crash victims.
Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting and base firefighters stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, check a simulated crash site for victims during an aircraft mishap response exercise aboard the air station, Sept. 3. The aircraft mishap response included two simulated crashes where responding personnel had to extinguish any fires and locate and assist crash victims.
Cpl. Desean White, a military police officer stationed with the Provost Marshal’s Office, posts behind his vehicle during an active shooter response exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 2. Military and civilian police worked together during the exercise as part of required annual safety training.
An active shooter response exercise participant simulates firing a handgun during an active shooter response exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 2. The station also participated in an aircraft mishap response exercise the next day as part of required annual safety training for the installation.
