Major exercise set for Oct. 15-19

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LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas --  Laughlin is holding a major accident response exercise with members of the Del Rio Emergency Services, Del Rio Police and Fire Departments, Val Verde County Sheriff's Department and U.S. Border Patrol Oct. 15 to 19.
"This will be a test of our ability to coordinate on and off base response efforts in a search and rescue capacity to better prepare our people for the worst case scenario," said Maj. Kenneth Knox, 47th FTW chief of exercise and evaluations.
Major Knox said that some of the sights and happenings might be alarming, but local residents need to understand it's part of the realism of the exercise.
"If anyone sees or hears anything unusual during that week and is concerned about whether the events are actual emergencies or simulated exercise events, please contact the 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs office at (830) 298-5988 where one of our representatives will be glad to answer your questions," he said.
Next week, if people see flashing light and hear alarms, they should realize that we're probably hard to ensure that we work well together with our local emergency and are prepared for just about any type of scenario," Maj. Knox added. "The lessons learned during this exercise will allow us all to approach problems involving on- and off-base agencies better in the future."
The emphasis of the exercise is to ensure that Laughlin is able to interact with local agencies during a crisis, Maj. Knox said.
Military members need to be aware that if the exercise extends beyond normal duty hours, they should have child care arrangements made, said Maj. Knox.
He advised military members who prepare and train daily for emergency situations, to review preparedness and discuss with their family what kinds of events will happen if there is ever an aircraft accident to alleviate some of the concerns family might have.
For Laughlin members involved in major accident response exercise scenarios, there is an in-brief that will describe exercise expectations at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 12 at Anderson Hall.
There will also be an out-brief, where the exercise's successes and failures are reviewed, at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 26.