Exercise, exercise, exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse
  • 22nd AIr Refeuling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Team McConnell is scheduled to participate in a disease containment plan exercise, Dec. 11.

"This is the plan the wing recently developed to address actions McConnell could take to protect the base and populace in the event of a pandemic disease outbreak, or terrorist use of biological contaminants," said Maj. Michael Rambo, 22nd Air Refueling Wing, Plans and Programs, XP.

"Air Mobility Command has directed that units test their DCPs," he said. "Not only are we meeting that requirement, but also leading the command with our exercise."

The Airmen participating will primarily depend on the direction of the commander's senior staff takes to respond to the scenario given. Due to the circumstances of the scenario, some events may be simulated while others will actually be tested.

The exercise specifics are being considered as to which agencies will participate, however, it is safe to assume that if a group does not have an active role, then it will be performing a supporting role.

"We are very fortunate to be in coordination with both the Sedgwick County Department of Health and the VA Hospital for this exercise," said Major Rambo. "Both participated not only in the production of our plan, but also the construct of the exercise. We greatly appreciate their participation, both in this and hopefully future exercises."

"Unlike our deployment exercises, this exercise takes place on the premise that we aren't expecting the events," he said. "So business is as usual, until circumstances specific to some participants warrant changes to that concept."

"Our normal exercise schedule does not require a DCP exercise," Major Rambo said. "However, we can and will need to use the DCP in conjunction with other plans for larger scale exercises in the future."

"We are eager to see this new plan in action, and have no doubt that Team McConnell will once again prove ourselves ready to tackle any challenge," he said.