-- WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Wright-Patterson Air Force Base went into full lockdown Aug. 18, and first responders rushed to the scene of a simulated active-shooter scenario in the Kittyhawk area.
Emergency “Giant Voice” and other electronic notifications, alerted personnel in Area A to follow training guidance and barricade themselves in safe places, hidden from view, in the event “shooters” might be in their facility.
Upon approaching Building 1235 where a squadron party was being held, Security Forces encountered several people “fleeing” and had to quickly determine that none of them were the shooter.
Inside the building, they were able to locate, isolate and neutralize the shooter. Fire Department responders then arrived to triage the four wounded, including a Defender “shot” upon entry, and prepare them for transport to medical facilities. Two others had been “killed.”
“We threw some difficult scenarios at our Security Forces and firefighters to create a realistic environment,” said Garth Freund, 88 ABW exercise planner.
In the aftermath, Security Forces remained on task and vigilant until it was certain there were no additional “shooters” in the area.
With an all-clear announcement, normal base activities resumed. At the exercise scene, things remained in high gear even though the situation had transitioned from response to recovery mode.
The Emergency Operations Center met virtually to help coordinate ongoing operations and, as needed, dispatch resources to the on-scene commander. Group and unit control centers were stood up to perform accountability checks and verify the whereabouts of all base personnel.
At the scene, investigators also began the process of sorting out event details. Specialized teams and personnel arrived to start the cleanup and restoration of facilities.
Overall the exercise went well and the firefighters and Security Forces did a great job responding to the active-shooter “threat,” Freund said. He also lauded several volunteers who role-played the “victims” as they added a touch of realism.
“They were amazing,” he said. “Their screaming, crying, running at responders and simulating being shot really created an even more stressful environment. They all deserve an Oscar.”
Freund said the victim portrayals are a valuable training aid and he invites interested individuals on base to add to their ranks for future exercises.
Wing inspection team members are now collecting and assessing exercise observations to determine how to be better prepared for such an event.