U.S., German Air Forces conduct AT exercise

Published May 11, 2007
By Senior Master Sgt. Derrick Parnell
702nd Munitions Support Squadron

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE -- On April 27, Buechel Air Base held a joint response exercise involving both Americans and Germans. As a German Air Force Base with a U.S. unit assigned to it, the majority of base support functions and security fall into the hands of Germans. This exercise was a unique way to test their response to a simulated terrorist attack.

The scenario was as realistic as possible, using ground burst simulators and realistic wound simulators that set the standard for these types of exercises.

After many hours of pre-coordination, the attack commenced at 9 a.m. The uniqueness of this exercise was evident at the start, with communication challenges apparent from the outset. After some fantastic displays of first aid and buddy care techniques, and once responders arrived on scene, the situation quickly turned from a single-explosive incident, to a more challenging one. Sweep elements found another simulated bomb not far from the casualties of the first explosion; the situation clearly was a terrorist type of threat and everyone was evacuated.

After the exercise was terminated, the Germans and Americans conducted a joint debriefing. This reinforced the importance of working, communicating, and learning together to get the most out of what happened. Additionally, they learned how the whole base -- both Germans and Americans -- can react and help each other out in case of a similar scenario in real life. This was definitely a learning event and will most undoubtedly help saves lives in the future.