MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- "Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!"
Throughout March 25-26, Station residents heard the alert message periodically. The message reminded all aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni that Exercise Rolling Thunder was in full-effect.
The biannual exercise is comprised of various drills which were conducted throughout the Station.
The first drill was a security breach at the main gate of the Station. A supposed terrorist tried to enter the Station with a fake identification card.
The next drill took place in front of Building One when a suspicious looking truck was parked in front. Somebody noticed the truck and then called the Provost Marshal's Office. The truck was stocked with barrels full of explosives in its camper. The building was immediately evacuated of all personnel inside.
Suddenly, without warning green smoke emitted from the truck, mimicking a gas agent.
Within minutes, Provost Marshal's Office squad cars raced to the scene and quickly set up a perimeter. Then, Explosives Ordnance Disposal personnel arrived on the scene and disposed of all explosives.
Meanwhile, at the home of Col. Dave Darrah, Station commanding officer, a hostage situation was erupting. The hostage was Darrah's wife, Kristi. A terrorist broke into the commanding officer's home and held Kristi at gunpoint.
Special Reaction Team, PMO and a hostage negotiator were posted next to Darrah's home in a matter of minutes.
After unsuccessful negotiating with the terrorist, the S.R.T. unit penetrated the house and swept through to capture the terrorist without putting Darrah in harm's way.
There were many places aboard the Station that reported suspicious packages and bomb threats were called to the Hornet's Nest and Northside 7-day store.
The second day of the exercise was to prepare the station for a natural disaster. A 6.0 earthquake rendered the Freedom Bridge usuable and caused one of the midrises on Monzen to collapse. There weresimulation of casualties and deaths.
Police and fire crew had to overcome the unusable bridge and had to go around the Station.
Emergency personnel were also tested on how fast and less problematic the natural disaster could be handled. Emergency personnel included the Station fire department, PMO, and personnel from the Branch Medical Clinic.
Exercise Rolling Thunder was comprised of simulations of security breaches, bomb threats, hostage situations, suspicious packages and coordination with agencies outside of the gates. The drills conducted were a success, according exercises coordinators.