A firefighter assists an “injured” exercise victim from a simulated plane crash during an exercise scenario Sept. 1, 2010, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The training exercise tested the Team McConnell’s ability to respond to a major accident. McConnell’s Airmen and community members participated as “casualties” to help increase the realism of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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Leann Smith, a member from the Kansas Community Emergency Response Team, applies moulage makeup on Kyle Leey, a Derby High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet, Sept. 1, 2010, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Moulage requires the use of artificial blood, makeup and other materials to create patient scenarios. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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Airmen and community members pretend to be victims of a simulated aircraft accident Sept. 1, 2010, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. McConnell’s Airmen and community members participated as “casualties” to help increase the realism of the exercise. The volunteers who played victims held slips of paper to help firefighters and medics identify their medical conditions. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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Team McConnell and community members participate in a major accident response exercise Sept. 1, 2010, to prepare for an upcoming open house and air show Sept. 25 and 26, 2010, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The exercise prepared emergency services members from McConnell, Sedgwick County responders, the American Red Cross and three local hospitals. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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Senior Airman Zuleyma Perez-Rodriguez and Senior Airman Thomas Haney, 22nd Aerospace Medical Squadron medical technicians, provide emergency medical care to a simulated accident victim during a major accident response exercise Sept. 1, 2010, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. After evacuating the “casualties” from the simulated crash site, they were placed in a triage area where their injuries were evaluated by Airmen of the 22nd Medical Group. The volunteers who played victims held a slip of paper to help the firefighters and medics identify their medical conditions. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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McConnell finishes major accident response exercise

Published Sept. 2, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- McConnell Airmen and local emergency response offices tested their ability to respond to a mass casualty scenario, Sept. 1, 2010, on McConnell's flightline.

One of McConnell's priorities as a base is to be ready for anything, the base held the major accident response exercise, or MARE, to prepare an upcoming open house and air show Sept. 25 and 26.

"The MARE showcases that we are a 'ready base' as we must be able to respond to any emergency at any time," said Capt. Leah Vanagas, 22nd Air Refueling Wing chief of inspections.

The exercise helped emergency services members from McConnell and Sedgwick County, the American Red Cross and three local hospitals prepare for a worst case scenario.

"This exercise will enable our emergency response personnel, our off-base partners and our wing leadership to practice our contingency plans and identify things we can do better before the actual Open House starts," said Lt. Col. John Pantleo, 22nd Air Refueling Wing air show director.

During the two-day air show, approximately 100,000 visitors are expected to attend. With the Air Force Thunderbirds as the headliners and more than four hours of aerial performances, preparation is key to making this event as safe as possible.

In the exercise scenario, an aircraft participating in the air show crashed.

Firefighters, medical personnel and security forces Airmen coordinated with the wing staff and other local response organizations to execute their response strategies.

"It is much better to plan and prepare responses to possible scenarios, than to shoot from the hip and hope all goes well," said Colonel Pantleo.

McConnell's Airmen and community members participated as "casualties" to help increase the realism of the exercise.

"When they pulled me out for support, I suddenly felt that I'm important, because I was supporting the greater mission," said Airman 1st Class Jacinto Flores, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron ophthalmic technician. "I feel that I'm in the service whenever we have exercises and can help out my wingmen. Which make me feel like I'm ready to help if ever there is going to be a real situation."