Base practices response to bomb attacks

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Devante Williams
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Air Force Base Airmen and civilians conducted a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear High-Yield Explosives exercise May 22. The scenario involved an insider threat from two civilian employees who launched two separate improvised explosive device attacks on the base.

On-scene participants included firefighters, medical specialists, bioenvironmental and explosive ordnance disposal Airmen, among others.

"Luke residents can rest assured that the base first responders are ready to handle any situation," said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Funkhouser, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief. "The combination of our first responders and outstanding relationships with off-base agencies gives us an unprecedented leverage of talent and resources most other bases do not enjoy."

The exercise was an opportunity for Thunderbolts to look at the potential emergencies and disasters based on what could happen if the event was real and not just an exercise.

"The base environmental evaluation test team does a great job constructing exercises that are relevant for the threats we may encounter," Funkhouser said.

Wing members conduct exercises on a quarterly basis to test their ability to react to real-world emergencies. Exercises also give nonresponders the opportunity to learn the skills needed to react to emergencies.

"The exercise went well for the installation's first CBRNE exercise in nearly a year," said Maj. William Maclin, 56th Fighter Wing Inspector General. "However, there is always room for improvement."