MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station units conducted a noncombatant evacuation operation exercise inside the IronWorks Gymnasium at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 30, 2015.
This operation is conducted to evacuate endangered personnel to include: noncombatants, nonessential military personnel, selected host-nation citizens and third country nationals, from locations in a host foreign nation to a safe location.
These operations take place for a variety of reasons such as civil unrest, natural disasters or threats.
“Unfortunately, anytime you serve overseas, you must be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Fernando Hernandez, staff noncommissioned officer in charge with the Installation Personnel Administration Center. “It's important to know what documentation is required to be turned into processing stations and what documentation is needed for families to track personal effects in case of an evacuation.”
Service members and civilians from a variety of departments came together to make this operation possible, including:
- IPAC
- Distribution Management Office
- Provost Marshal’s Office
- Station Judge Advocate
- Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic
- Veterinary Treatment Facility
- Matthew C. Perry Schools
- Family Housing Office
- American Red Cross
- Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society
Spouses even volunteered to bring luggage, prepared and unprepared NEO packages, children, and pets to help make the exercise more realistic.
Practicing this operation decreases panic and makes for a smooth transition in the case of a real NEO scenario.