Kadena "plays" hard

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sara Csurilla
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  In an instant, a gunman bursts through the office door opening fire on an unexpecting Airman close by.

Despite the chaos that has consumed the building in a conflagration of bullets and screams, the wounded Airman is relying on his wingmen to save his life.

This is only one type of scenario Emergency Evaluation Team members use to test the capabilities of Kadena's Airmen this week during Beverly High 11-4, a "fight the base" local operational readiness exercise. During these training contingencies, additional scenarios can range from power outages to bomb threats and chemical attacks to prepare Airmen for possible real-world situations.

"EET members were posted at every work station that participated in the LORE to evaluate Airmen during each scenario," said Maj. Steven Cappelli, a chief of inspections during this LORE from the 18th Operations Support Squadron. "They are evaluated on their readiness, emergency management operations and combat operations."

Every LORE is similar in the fact that they test Airmen's abilities to operate under any condition, but this exercise had a few specific focuses among the usual ones, with self-aid and buddy care taking precidence.

"We focused more on readiness and SABC this time," said Major Cappelli. "I think Airmen did a great job throughout the base. We started a bit slow the first day, but we learned fast. If based solely on the amount of learning achieved, this has been a great success."

Team Kadena members worked all hours the past few days wearing mission-oriented protective posture, or MOPP, gear to protect them from the simulated chemical agents as they prepare Kadena's forces for the simulated war. Though they've had to participate in the LORE, they've had to also perform their normal duty roles.

"Even though Airmen are expected to participate in any scenario during the LORE they are still expected to keep day to day operations going, and they do a great job at it," said the Major. "These are the type of things that truly displays the tenacity and motivation our Airmen have and it makes me feel safe and truly proud to work side by side these Airmen every day."