Preparing for attacks at the base

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - More than 1,200 airmen took part in Saturday's training exercise. It was a way to prepare for a real world chemical or basic attack.

"They're going to be using all of the gear that they would use in those type of scenarios, " says Cpt. Randy Gantt with the 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Ability to Survive and Operate...that  was the name of the drill.

"The over-arching scenario is that the Chinese are moving towards the Middle East., trying to get oil reserves.  We have some NATO units in Pakistan and we're delivering cargo to those units.  So, we're basically in a deployed location, picking up cargo.  , making sure the cargo has what it needs to be and delivering it to those people," explains Cpt. Gantt.

Safety was the top priority.

"All of our people have to make sure that everybody's keeping an eye on each other, everybody has a buddy.  There's always a buddy checking your suit, there's always a buddy checking your gas mask to make sure it looks good, things like that. Safety is paramount," comments Cpt. Gantt.

Then they moved on to the actual training exercise.

"We're going to launch four of our C-17, hopefully all within about a 5 minute window of departures to exercise our air crew.  On two of those aircrafts, we're going to run aero medical evacuation training missions.  So, we'll have those airplanes configured with litters, medical equipment, we'll have simulated patients," says Col. Steve Goeman, Wing Commander of the 445th Airlift Wing.

The goal of this exercise is to prepare aircrews and maintenance personnel for it's upcoming operational readiness inspection in January.

"Can the guys do the mission in this type of equipment? Can they do it in this type of setting?  As we give them more things to do, as we kill people off, as we blow trucks up.  What do they have to do to keep continually adapting to that type of situation?" asks Cpt. Gantt.