Laughlin to hold active shooter exercise Published July 22, 2011 By 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Laughlin is scheduled to participate in a two-day Air Education and Training Command mandated active shooter exercise Aug. 9 and 10. The exercise is intended to actively stress Laughlin's ability to respond and recover from a mass casualty event while evaluating the AETCs crisis action teams' ability to provide support. "The safety and security of Laughlin is of utmost importance," said Maj. Karamo Hayward, 47th Flying Training Wing exercise evaluation team leader. "By preparing through exercises, our Airmen have the knowledge and experience on the proper way to respond in case an active shooter event were ever to happen on base." Everyone in the wing is obligated to participate and family members on base should be aware of some inconveniences the exercise might create. "When the lockdown phase occurs, everyone in the affected area will participate," Hayward said. "So people in the BX and commissary may be locked down for up to two hours. Also, gate traffic may get backed up." He also noted how the exercise may inconvenience some people but the end result is much more important. He added how it's vital people understand what is going on and know how to react when put in an active shooter situation. "For us to gain the knowledge and hone in on our skills is invaluable," he said. "Something like this could really happen and we need to know what to do."