Deployed Moody Airman participates in crash recovery rehearsal

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  Editor's note: The original story appears at http://www.balad.afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123243463. Some editorial changes were made to make the story more relevant to Moody.

Before the crackle of radio transmission was over; Airmen were scrambling to get to the rally point. As some gathered equipment, others readied their vehicle for an 'outside the wire' plane recovery.

Senior Airman Christopher Pate, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron truck commander and radio telephone operator, who is deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., played a role in this rehearsal.

Along with the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, Joint Defense Operations Center and other base agencies, the 532nd ESFS practiced their first outside the wire rehearsal- from the convenience of the base.

The rehearsal's objective was to assess the 332nd EMS crash, damaged, disabled, aircraft recovery team's preparation for an off-base response and recovery. It also allowed officials to figure out the limiting factors as far as communication.

"We want to make sure all the people in this rehearsal are using the right channels of communication and met at the correct place, to go outside the wire," said Master Sgt. Humberto Morales, 332nd EMXS transient alert flight chief.

Organizers were able to establish a rally point that worked well for all of the CDDAR radios, prior to departing for the 'crash site.'

"I was able to communicate with my base station without fail," said Sergeant Morales, who deployed from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

Airman Pate's role in this was to control the communications between the squad participating in the exercise and JDOC, making sure information were relayed between higher ups and the squad leader.

In the scenario, an MC-12 aircraft belly landed outside the base's perimeter. A truck and four members with player's card were placed near the north entry control point, to simulate the crash site.

In the real world, security forces members would most likely be the first on scene for an off base incident. The rehearsal tested ESFS members on the securing of the site and performing of self-aid buddy care, if needed.

While recovering sensitive information is important, officials wanted the focus on saving personnel than the classified boxes.

Due to personnel shortage, Airman Pate, a Decherd, Tenn., native, was also responsible for security, aid and litter as well as calling in 9-line medical evacuation information to ensure the wounded received proper care.

According to local leadership at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Airman Pate has traits which make him good at not only this particular skill, but many others.

"Airman Pate is one of the hardest-working Airman I've known," said Master Sgt. Edward James, 823rd Base Defense Squadron operations. "He's a subject matter expert on communication and equipment. He possesses strong leadership traits and maturity that make him a reliable Airman in any situation."

As half the roads surrounding the base are in rough shape, it was important for CDDAR team members to coordinate with security forces for transportation. The mine resistant ambush protected vehicles security forces operate offers more protection than recovery trailers.

Before any crash recovery members could leave the base, an assessment of the crash site was vital. This is where joint defense operations center and security forces on foot patrol came in. From the operation center, members could put 'eyes' above the site, relaying information for key players and first responders.

"They can zone in on the area and tell us if the plane is on fire or not, and where it's located," Sergeant Morales, a Massachusetts, Mass., native, said. "They would be the main driver behind the equipment (we bring.)"

As of the rehearsal, no procedure for going outside the wire to recover an aircraft was in place. Sergeant Morales and his crash recovery team were "writing the rulebooks" as they want.

"Some of the CDDAR members have been on JBB for three weeks and didn't know how much preparation was involved," he said. "It has given them a better understanding of the procedures of going outside the wire."

Sergeant Morales said the event was a step in the right direction and considered the rehearsal a 'huge success.'

Officials also determined that the security forces squad leader would best fill the duties as the on-scene commander.

For Airman Pate, being able to participate in the rehearsal exercise was an opportunity to learn more about his own skills and that of squad members.

"It helped build team confidence and cohesion, so I was more than happy to participate in the rehearsal," he said. "I believe everyone involved is better prepared for a real world incident."