Kadena preps for weeklong MFE

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Coleman
  • 18 Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 18th Wing will conduct a mission focused exercise to prepare Airmen for real world contingencies Aug. 18-22 here.

An MFE is a scenario-based exercise used to assess readiness, evaluate the validity of unit self-assessment programs and a commander's tool to limit the risks of undetected non-compliance through inspection in any of the new four major graded areas. There are two phases to MFEs, the first prepares Airmen to deploy on short-notice taskings and the second to protect the base from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks.

"Positive attitudes are going to be a big thing and just make sure you know what you're doing," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Knepp, 18th Wing Inspector General inspection team NCOIC. "Have your Airman's Manual and any other guidance for your job."

The goal of the MFE is to enforce unit self-assessment year-round, keeping units accountable for non-compliance and reporting how each unit prepares to solve the problems through self-analysis and implementation.

Exercise activities have been planned to minimize impact to real-world operations at Kadena.

The areas south and north of Douglas Blvd. that fall west of McKennon Ave. to include the golf course and the Washington Heights and Clark Vista housing areas are no-play areas. The military personnel section will remain open for emergency common access card issuance, CAC pin resets, base in-processing and final out processing appointments. The Risner Fitness Center interior, Marshall and Johnson dining facilities will also remain open.

According to Knepp, Wednesday through Friday would be the days to expect alarms through the giant voice system and explosive simulators with the exception of quiet hours. Quiet hours will be 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. 

All Airmen participating in the exercise are permitted to drive to and from their work areas and will be considered non-players until they arrive or depart for their shift. At the end of their shift they will continue to participate until they begin to drive away from their duty location. Until that point they must respond to attacks and other injects. Non-players will wear blues unless they have an exemption letter from their commander.

"We're just hoping this goes off pretty well," Knepp said. "This is the third since switching to the Commander's Inspection program under the IG construct."

MFEs ensure a force of 8,000 Airmen is trained and postured to support Air Force commitments in the Pacific region as well as U.S. military commitments around the world.

Operating from the largest U.S. installation in the Asia-Pacific region, the 18th Wing defends U.S. and Japanese mutual interests by providing a forward power projection platform with integrated, deployable, combat power.