Wichita and McConnell emergency responders tackle MARE Published Sept. 4, 2008 By Senior Airman Nicholas Stowers 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- McConnell Airmen and local organizations from the Wichita community joined forces in a major accident response exercise at Planeview Park and the nearby Wichita Fire Department Training Facility, Sept. 3. The MARE simulated a mid-air collision between a C-17 Globemaster III and a small aircraft over Kellogg Boulevard resulting in the C-17 crashing into Planeview Park. The purpose of the exercise was to test how civilian and military emergency response crews would respond. "What we've learned at this point is that we're very happy with the execution of the exercise," said Major Michael Rambo, 22nd Plans and Programs exercise and evaluations chief. "The responders, firemen, police, hazardous materials teams, all of these people have came out and did a wonderful job." More than 300 people composed of members from 19 Wichita organizations and airmen from at 6 McConnell units participated in the exercise. Exercise activities were geared toward testing fire, police and medical responses as well as explosive ordnance and hazardous materials disposal. One unique aspect was the emphasis on realism from live fires, to smoke, and realistic looking wounds placed on exercise victims. "It's almost critical to have a high degree of realism," said Major Rambo. "The more [people] involved, the more realism you want there to be. If you have very realistic looking wounds and injuries, and realistic fire and smoke the volunteers, participants, observers and the leadership at higher levels can invest more interest and internal realism into the exercise." McConnell and local Wichita officials will evaluate the results of the exercise and discuss areas in which they can improve processes and be better prepared in the event an accident, such as a plane crash, should ever occur.