Exercise to test base's readiness skills

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  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- --  Base officials will conduct a quarterly exercise here July 8-11. Several independent scenarios are planned, ranging from a hazardous material incident to an active shooter exercise.

An Operational Readiness Phase 2 exercise will occur July 9 and test participants' ability to survive and operate. Phase 1, which evaluates a unit's transition from peacetime readiness to a wartime posture, is scheduled for July 10 and July 11.

According to Carmen Riches, 88th Air Base Wing chief of exercises, the goal is to blend in requirements from Air Force Instructions as well as put in place knowledge at the unit level and help Airmen know what to do for real-world response.

"This readiness exercise is the last tune-up prior to the Readiness Inspection, which will take place July 29 through Aug 2," Riches said. "It's important that participants and evaluators be fully engaged so that we are prepared when the Inspector General team arrives."

The exercises could have the following effects:

· Gate traffic could be backed up or rerouted to other entry control points if the gate is closed;
· Travel may be congested, especially with the FPCON exercise.
· Security measures will be increased.
· Communities surrounding the base may hear the siren but are advised that it is part of an exercise.
· "Giant Voice" might be activated.
· Telephonic and electronic notification methods will be utilized.

Much of the visible exercise activity will take place during normal daylight duty hours. With the exception of brief periods of increased traffic congestion at base gates, most exercise activity will be transparent to the general public.