MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Family members and other noncombatants aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni got a little taste of what would happen if there was an emergency aboard the Station.
A Noncombatant Evacuation Operation exercise Aug. 29 was a follow-up to the Anti-Terrorism/Civil Defense exercise that took place the previous day.
Noncombatants were evacuated from the Station by means of the WestPac Express, a military sealift command leased catamaran designed to transport up to 970 passengers and 478 tons of cargo at up to 40 knots an hour. The volunteers for this excursion were taken on a three-hour tour on the Seto Inland Sea near the Station.
The NEO exercise had been in planning for the last three months, according to Capt. Thomas Holley, NEO coordinator and assistant operations officer.
"The biggest part of the NEO is getting everyone together," said Holley. "We had to load everyone's simulated luggage and pets on the ship, and unload and distribute it when the ship returned."
After all evacuees and cargo were loaded, the ship embarked on its journey through the coastal Japanese waters. Guests were then able to relax in any of the 970 airplane style seats, walk around inside the luxurious cabin or go outside on either of the two balconies to enjoy the weather and scenery.
The relaxed atmosphere provided guests with a pleasant journey, however the operation would have to be a little stricter in an actual emergency event, according to Lance Cpl. Shane Worley, Provost Marshal's Office military policeman.
"Today I'm basically escorting groups on the ship, showing them around and making sure they have a good time," said Worley. "However, if this were an actual emergency, the people, I'm sure wouldn't be as relaxed as they are today."
If there ever was an actual emergency and people had to be evacuated by the WestPac Express, they could live off of the ship's supplies for up to 96 hours, according to Chief Warrant Officer Gene Rose, WesPac Express Operations officer.
The exercise also gave noncombatants and servicemembers experience of a NEO, as well as a few hours away from home, work, school and the Station itself.
"The boat was really big and nice," said Jaimie Dorff, 12-year-old NEO participant. "I think the boat would be a fun way to get away if we had to evacuate."