Team Minot sharpens accident response skills

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alyssa M. Akers
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

Minot Air Force Base leadership conducted a Major Accident Response Exercise on the flight line July 20.

A MARE is a simulated significant event with mass casualties and is used to evaluate real world response capabilities of emergency personnel.

“The whole point of the exercise was to give first responders a chance to look at a major event as close to the real thing as possible,” said Master Sgt. Brandy Hatcher, 5th Bomb Wing plans and programs superintendent. “We wanted to give them the look, smell and feel of an aircraft crash so they know exactly everything they need to do if this were to occur.”

Before an airshow, MAREs are required to be accomplished within a month.

“Every time there’s an airshow, it’s mandatory that a MARE is completed involving an aircraft crash,” said Hatcher. “This gives our first responders a chance to practice for the worst case situation during an airshow.”

During this exercise, 35 Airmen acted as victims and witnesses to help make the scenario as real as possible.

“Some people had burned faces, backs, or cuts in various places,” said Tech. Sgt. Ignacio Alatorre, 5th BW Self-Assessment Program manager and deficiency monitor. “It looked realistic, which helps with the realism during exercises.”

Airmen from squadrons throughout the 5th BW provided support in many different ways. While the 5th Medical Group cared for the simulated victims, security forces Airmen and firefighters secured the crash area and ensured the scene was under control.

“After the scene is declared safe, recovery sweeps the area to retrieve any missing parts,” said Hatcher. “After everything, it’s just mass notifications to ensure everyone has accountability of their people.”

The Inspector General’s office hosts 14 exercises in a year, ensuring Team Minot is always prepared for any potential incidents.