MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- A noncombatant evacuation operation exercise evacuated approximately 85 family members from the Station April 7, to Osan, Korea.
Residents were a part of a NEO that demonstrated what would take place in case a threat was imminent to the Station.
The exercise started April 5 at NEO night. Once there, residents were manifested and briefed on what steps would need to take place in case of a real-life scenario.
Explanations of previous NEO evacuations were explained, as well as what is expected in the NEO package. A brief of the importance of having all records updated was also given.
After the brief, they were instructed to be at the gym, April 7 at 5:30 a.m. Upon arrival, all participants' passports were scanned into the system and they given boarding passes for the flight.
"For everyone to get logged in the system, it took approximately an hour, which is pretty fast for the amount of people that were involved," said Master Gunnery Sgt. Chauncey Lovely, airfield operations staff noncommissioned officer in charge.
Once in Korea, residents went through immigration and were told to report at 3 p.m. for the flight back to Iwakuni. Following a last immigration inspection, residents simulated flying out of an endangered area in a short amount of time.
"This is a great exercise because we now know what to expect in case something indeed does happen," said Regina Parsons. "I didn't know what to expect before today. But now, after being involved, everything seemed to run smoothly and quickly. After being involved in this NEO, I feel very safe in case something does happen."
According to Jerrie Dickerson, who has now been apart of two NEO exercises, "Last time we went to Okinawa and one of the main differences was dealing with immigration. In Okinawa, we did not deal with immigration at all. But getting inspected by immigration is not necessarily a bad thing, especially with the events that are taking place around the world right now."
Dickerson added to those that decided not to go what an experience they missed by not volunteering.
"The incentive of being able to spend time in Korea and go shopping made this exercise worthwhile," added Dickerson.
While Station family members were in Osan they were given the opportunity to explore one of the shopping districts in Korea.
"This was my first time in Korea and I had been told that this was an inexpensive place to go shopping," said Shelly Tinsley, Virginia Beach, Va, native. "I expected to find good deals before arriving. It was overwhelming the amount of products available, with one of their major products being purses. I also wanted to experience getting a custom made outfit."
Melissa Trent, Toledo, Ohio, native enjoyed the positive environment that Osan offered.
"The merchants here were very friendly and most things were cheap," added Trent. "Most of the prices that can be found here are nearly impossible to find back in the states. The variety of styles in one town made shopping here a unique experience.
One of the things that was really good was that we were able to purchase items in dollars, avoiding the hassle of converting dollars to wots."