JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron conducted a Phase Two exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Nov. 17-19, 2020.
The aim of the 633rd CES Phase Two exercise was to conduct simulated and multiple real-world scenarios to help strengthen readiness and assess unit procedures.
The teams involved included the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, the Langley Air Force Base Fire Department, Operations (facilities electrical and facilities power producing), Engineering, and the Emergency Management team. Each unit played a role during the exercise and worked hand-in-hand to ensure a successful training.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, teams were broken up into different days and practiced necessary precautions such as maintaining social distancing when needed and wearing face masks at all times.
The objectives for the training exercises were to make sure personnel are able to react in emergency situations such as structure fires, missile impacts, and chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear attacks.
During the exercise, a real-world mission was also tasked. The facilities electrical and facilities power producing units from the squadron performed an automatic transfer switch installation on one of the main power structures on base.
This means that Airmen will no longer need to manually switch on back-up power in the event of a power outage; it will switch on automatically.
“This upgrade ensures waste disposal capabilities during unscheduled power outages, mitigates environmental hazards and safeguards the life, safety and health of Military Family Housing residents,” said U.S. Tech. Sgt. Nathanael Witt, 633rd CES electrical systems non-commissioned officer in charge.
The Engineering unit and EOD team were given simulated missile impacts to respond to. The scenario included impacts to an airfield in which EOD had to quickly and safely clear the airfield of explosive hazards and engineering went in after to make proper repairs.
“Exercises like this give our EOD Airmen an opportunity to capstone our training and apply what they have learned on a larger scale,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Costa, 633rd CES EOD logistics section chief. “This allows them, and key leaders, to see how the operations we perform affect the base as a whole.”
This training was especially important for the LAFBFD because their new Airmen were able to practice wearing CBRN gear under their firefighting personal protective equipment.
They were tasked with responding safely and efficiently to a live structure fire in a chemical environment.
“All flight members did an outstanding job,” said Senior Master Sgt. Cory Bowers, Langley Air Force Base Fire Department deputy fire chief. “Their teamwork and ability to adjust to limited mobility from the extra gear in a stressful, high temperature environment was great to see.”
During exercises, it’s not uncommon for Airmen to simulate deployed environments. For the EM team, they were assessed on completing a dismounted reconnaissance and surveillance technique.
This technique allows them to safely cordon off contaminated sites that missiles have impacted. They were also tasked with exchanging mission-oriented protective posture gear. This allows Airmen to practice removing contaminated gear in the event of a CBRN attack.
Each part in the exercise was made up of the things Airmen are trained on daily. Once put all together, Airmen were able to show how their skills in their daily duties and potential deployment tasks keep them ready for the fight.
“Over the last several years, our focus has shifted to near-peer threats and the capabilities they possess to reach our bases from vast distances,” Costa said. “We, as a force, need to be prepared to quickly recover the air base and its most critical assets. Conducting exercises like a Phase 2 is an invaluable learning experience for everyone involved and helps us prepare our Airman for contingency operations.”