Airmen, Misawa residents prep for disaster

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kelly White
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen from the 35th Medical Operations Squadron and 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department provided first-responder support during a natural disaster preparedness exercise Oct. 3 at Misawa City Sea Port.

The exercise tested civilian and military coordination and response.

"The scenario was an 8.5 earthquake off the coast of northern Japan that generated a tsunami," said 35 MDOS Commander Lt. Col. Russell Pinard. "Misawa City is in charge of this annual exercise that involves Misawa City and Aomori Prefecture governmental agencies, Japanese Ground and Air Self-Defense Forces in northern Japan, and the 35th Fighter Wing."

Each year the exercise is conducted, it provides opportunity for involved agencies to learn more about how the others.

"It's very important to coordinate all of our efforts so in the event of a natural disaster, we can respond as best possible," Colonel Pinard said. "For that to happen, all the organizations need to be familiar with how the others operate."

The exercise starts with a warning that comes across the Japanese communication networks.

"Three years ago when we did this exercise, the warning came across only in Japanese," Colonel Pinard said. "But, because there are a lot Americans living in the off-base community, we identified the need for the warning to be given in both Japanese and English."

One of the 35th MDOS first-responders, Maj. Mario Maxwell, said being involved in the city's disaster preparedness exercise was a beneficial experience.

"This was my first time participating in this exercise," he said. "It provided me with a better feel for our host nation's capabilities and how we work together for the city of Misawa."

The success of the exercise was a testament of the interoperability between Japanese civilian and military personnel and the Airmen of Misawa Air Base, Colonel Pinard said.

"Should there be a natural disaster, people are in good hands," he said. "The Japanese agencies are very capable, as are the 35th FW Airmen. All of these agencies work very well together in northern Japan."