Air Force, Navy test fuel spill response Published June 15, 2007 By Seaman Shane Arrington Det. 12, Air Force News Agency MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- With ships coming in and out of the port, there's always the possibility for accidents. A Navy fuel facility at Hachinohe port provides fuel to Misawa Air Base. If an oil spill happens there the response must be quick and effective. While the facility has its own people trained to respond to such ascenario, Airmen and Sailors from Misawa Air Base and Naval Air Facility Misawa recently trained together to respond to a spill at the port. The fuel facility holds this annual exercise to keep responders refreshed on oil cleanup techniques. It is important for the two services to work together to help protect the environment, said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Brian Coughlin. "If there's a major spill out here and we have to respond (the Airmen) would give us a hand," Chief Coughlin said. "That's why they go through this training, too." The fake oil in the exercise scenario was contained and cleaned out of the water. Chief Coughlin said the training received during this exercise was beneficial to both the Airmen and Sailors who participated. "Hopefully we'll never have to respond to the real thing but if we do we're ready," he said. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page