12 - RAF Lakenheath - Air Force Link

Jet48NewsCapt. Robert Gable, 48th Fighter Wing excecutive officer, uses two pens to continue his typing during a simulated chemical attack Tuesday.Liberty Warriors prepare for attackStory by Senior Airman Eric Donner48th Fighter Wing Public AffairsThe 48th Fighter Wing spent the week training for almost anysituation that could arise during peace or war including vehicleaccidents and chemical attacks. Airmen with office jobs to crewchiefs, who prepare aircraft for missions, suited up for the training.Exercises provide a realistic contingency environment to familiarizeoperation forces with the capabilities needed to execute a mission.The exercise also fulfilled a requirement for RAF Lakenheathchemical warfare trainingg this year.“This exercise lets us meet our annual chemical warfare requirementswith a 48-hour chemical warfare exercise,” said Master Sgt.Brad Bliss, 48th Fighter Wing plans and programs.During the exercise, Liberty Warriors tested their ability torespond to different scenariors without prior warning of where, whator when.Photo by Senior Airman Eric DonnerAirman who participated in the exercise wore mission orientedprotective posture gear for several hours at a time.Though, the exercise also focused on other situations that servicemembersmay run into during in a career including mass casualties.“Mass casualty exercises judge the response time of the emergencycrew and medical staff here,” said Sergeant Bliss.48th Security Forces Squadron also had an opportunity to testtheir skills and work with their civilian British counterparts.During the exercise, security forces and the British constiblesresponded to a terrorist occupation of a building on RAFLakenheath, which helps the two departments understnad how eachreact to the same situation. At the conclusion of the exercise, thebuilding was stormed and the terror suspects neutralized.“The exercise knocked off the dust,” said Sergeant Bliss.48th FW plans and programs will compile the results of the exerciseinto a report, which they will brief to senior leadership with anoverall performance grade.MAY 12, 2006JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 17