Base conducts readiness exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Dorian Chapman
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Goodfellow Air Force Base conducted an installation-wide training exercise July 16-18. Though security forces and other first-responders were primary players in the event, everyone on base was affected.

The first day of the exercise led to an increase in Force Protection measures, at which time base personnel were expected to raise their level of awareness for suspicious activity. By the second day, the simulated threat increased causing even tighter security restrictions including the closure of the north gate.

On the third day, tensions exploded as a canister of a simulated chemical substance was released in Bldg. 300 by a servicemember sympathetic to terrorist causes. Emergency responders swiftly identified the substance and began decontamination proceedures.

The exercise culminated in a hostage situation where the servicemember-turned-terrorist took two other base personnel captive. These events required the base to call in specialized support from the city of San Angelo. The San Angelo Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics team and Hostage Negotiation team responded to the scene.

According to Lt. Curtis Milbourn, SAPD's Public Information Officer, the police officers were not aware that the situation was merely an exercise until they arrived at the gate and received training weapons in exchange for their real rifles and sidearms.

As hostage negotiators attempted to persuade the "gunman" to surrender, SWAT team members geared-up for the possibility of an assault.

After several hours of negotiations, the hostage-taker's actions led the SWAT team to move in and neutralize him.

The three-day exercise was a success. Throughout the year, Goodfellow conducts multiple joint training events with outside agencies to include the San Angelo Fire Department, San Angelo medical facilities and the Federal Bureau of Investigations to improve working relationships and assure proper plans are in place in the event of an actual emergency.