MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- After roughly four days of ever-increasing mayhem and catastrophe, exercise Active Shield 2011 officially ended here March 3.
During the exercise, personnel all over the air station were measured and judged for their ability to respond to a slew of disastrous scenarios.
This year’s exercise was a testament to the station’s readiness clearly demonstrated through the maintenance of all daily station operations while conducting a large-scale exercise.
“I think at the end of the day we have a functional capability to secure this air station and conduct an exercise,” said Lt. Col. Davin Keith, station executive officer and acting commanding officer for the exercise.
Despite the success, these exercises keep the personnel involved sharp and highlight areas where improvement is possible.
“Operating the air station under crisis conditions takes practice,” said Maj. Grant Killmer, exercise officer in charge. “The confusion and fog of war in the emergency operations center was obvious as we started the exercise; however, as operations progressed, the EOC watchstanders found a battle rhythm and adapted to the new work conditions.”
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force counterparts who were critical to this year’s success expressed similar sentiments and the necessity of continued cooperation to improve interoperability.
“Mutual understanding at the unit level requires constant work; therefore, I consider this exercise important not only to improve our security capabilities, but also as a great opportunity to reinforce mutual understanding,” said JGSDF Col. Hiroaki Omoto, 46th Infantry Regiment commander.