News

Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown ... Installation-wide exercises a continual learning process

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Experiencing delays at the gates and reacting to the possible threat of an active shooter were just two of the events that took place May 9 through 13 as part of a week-long base exercise designed to train Team Robins to respond to situations that require immediate attention.

The installation-wide exercise was the second one conducted this year.

The active shooter scenario involved a shooter and 10 victims in Bldg. 255. Lockdown procedures were evaluated for more than 50 installation facilities.

No live weapons were used, and all guns were painted blue or red and made of plastic. Base inspection team members followed the shooter, generating loud noises to simulate weapons fire, as he made his way through the building.

"We try to make it as real as possible," said Tony Purtee, with the 78th Air Base Wing Inspections and Exercise Office. "We want to involve as many people as we can to ensure they know the procedures for lockdown situations."

The Command Post announced the lockdown via the giant voice system as the entire installation was closed for roughly 15 minutes, with the exception of outbound traffic at the Green Street gate.

"Safety was paramount. The bottom line is we didn't want anybody getting hurt," said Master Sgt. Vince Heath, 78th ABW Inspector General superintendent. "It continues to be an educational process during our exercises."

Following the incident, mental health evaluations were even carried out for first responders and witnesses acting as sufferers of post-traumatic stress.

Also, in preparation for this fall's Thunder Over Georgia Air Show Oct. 1-2, an air show major accident response tabletop exercise dealing with a downed aircraft was also held. A second exercise just before the air show will be held on Aug. 11.