MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni conducted an Anti-Terrorism/Civil Defense exercise Aug. 28 to help improve the proficiency of security and emergency response teams and the Station's command and control system.
Situations simulated around the Station during Exercise Sudden Storm included a car bomb at the front gate, a terrorist running into a building with a bomb strapped to his chest and a train derailment near the Matthew C. Perry schools.
"We always seek to keep and hopefully improve our level of skill, knowledge and proficiency base-wide in responding to disasters," said Lt. Col. Philip King, Station Operations officer. "This drill was particularly important because we had about a 60 percent turnover of personnel this summer and we needed to rebuild some of the corporate knowledge."
The Station tried to focus on different areas for each drill, according to King.
"In this drill, simulated terrorists attacked MCAS Iwakuni using simulated conventional explosives in the form of a vehicle, vest and other types of bombs," said King. "One simulated bomb was used to simulate the derailing of a train near the Matthew C. Perry School, contaminating the surrounding area with chlorine gas."
This exercise was a little different from exercises that have been done in the past, noted King.
"This exercise was unique in that it was co-sponsored by Headquarters Marine Corps," said King. "Plans, Policies and Operations, a department of Headquarters Marine Corps, provided assistance in the scenario development. PP&O also provided training aids, classes for Station personnel, controller support and observers and evaluators with tremendous credentials."
The exercise also helped to test the capabilities of a number of different units aboard Iwakuni, noted King.
"In previous exercises, we stressed the Branch Medical Clinic, the Provost Marshal's Office Special Reaction Team, the fire department and Marine Aircraft Group 12 Ordnance," said King. "This time it was the Station's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit's turn."
The exercise works alongside various efforts aboard the Station, such as the dependent respirator program, and the Noncombatant Evacuation Operation program.
"If you take a step back you'll see they are all integrated as part of a larger, carefully thought out plan to protect our community," said King. "At the end of a very bad day, it makes little difference if it's a terrorist attack, or an accident at a nearby industrial plant. We want to always be prepared to protect, treat and evacuate people if needed."
The exercise continued Station work on the development of subordinate leaders in all units of civil defense.
"We learned that we can transfer control if needed from unit commanders and department heads to junior officers and staff noncommissioned officers in the chain of command," said King, "and that we can do it effectively."
Many of the units aboard the Station participated in the exercise simulating different threats and their response to these threats.
"Although there are certainly areas we can fine tune, I think the Station and all tenant units did exceptionally well," said King.
Jamie Wurdinger, family member, said the exercise helped put some of her fears to rest.
"If an incident were to happen at Iwakuni, I feel a lot better about the whole process now," said Wurdinger.
As stressful as a terrorist threat or disaster may be, residents can rest assure knowing that the Marines and Sailors aboard Station are ready.
"After seeing how fast everyone responded to the different scenarios, I'm confident the Station is prepared to handle it," said Wurdinger.