MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- A Noncombatant Evacuation Operation training night was held in the Club Iwakuni Ballroom Feb. 3 to inform Station residents of what to do in case an evacuation of nonmilitary personnel is ever needed.
One of the main objectives of training nights is to help put residents at ease about the NEO process, according to Capt. Thomas Holley, NEO coordinator and assistant operations officer.
"I think people feel a lot more comfortable once they see how the whole exercise works," said Holley. "In an emergency people may not be in the right state of mind to handle all the things they need, and that's why it's so important to have everything in order beforehand."
The training also helped to explain and simplify the paperwork included in NEO packages and stressed the importance of having all documents in order.
"It's tremendously important for people to know where to go to get their families to a safe haven in case of an emergency," said Holley. "We want to make sure the NEO packages are filled out properly so that people know what to expect."
As long as residents have their packages in order, they should have no trouble departing quickly and with the confidence that their possessions will be properly looked after, noted Holley.
"Once the NEO packages are complete they can pretty much just show up, leave and stay safe without having to worry about what's going to happen to all their belongings," said Holley.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronnie Nix, NEO night participant and administrative clerk, said that he couldn't agree more.
"It's great that they have this training to keep us up to speed, especially with everything going on in the world," said Nix.
Participants were given the opportunity to talk to representatives from the Provost Marshal's Office and the Station Judge Advocates Office about how to properly fill out specific forms and to answer questions about what would happen to their vehicles and other items.
"We have people available to take care of everything from finances to the family pet," said Holley.
For more information about Noncombatant Evacuation Operation packages contact your unit representatives. For more details about NEO exercises contact Holley at 253-3623.