Vandenberg participates in readiness exercise

Reporting for duty

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Firefighters of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron respond to a simulated explosion here during the Foggy Shores excercise April 22. Foggy Shores allows Airmen to experience intense scenerios to prepare for real world crisises. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Reporting for duty

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.. -- Applying a strip of tape, a firefighter helps to ensure a chemical suit is properly donned during the Foggy Shores exercise here April 22. Excercises, like Foggy Shores, ensure base personnel are ready for any crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Published April 30, 2009
By Senior Airman Wesley Carter
30th Space Wing Public Affairs

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg agencies participated in a two-day Foggy Shores exercise, a series of fabricated events April 22-23.

The exercise kicked off April 22 with a simulated explosion in Building 11777, which tested the base's ability to respond to an incident.

"This event was different from normal Foggy Shores because it was ran in coordination with a contracted unit," said Maj. Jennifer Holthaus, chief of Vandenberg's Inspection and Exercise Team.

A simulated explosion gives the base a range of opportunities to train everything from evacuations to the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordinance Disposal team's response, Mr. Peterson said.

"These exercises allow us to prepare and figure out how we are going to react in a real situation," said Senior Airman Onterrio Agnew, a 30th Security Forces Squadron member.

The 30th SFS team was tested again when a simulated shooter was reported at the Titan dormitories.

"In situations like that, you either freeze or react," said Airman Agnew. "The exercise gives us a chance to get used to the high stress of that type of situation."

The training prepares the 30th SFS to handle extreme situations that, unfortunately, they might have to face.

With a two-day series of critical events, the chief of the exercise evaluation team considers this Foggy Shores exercise a success.