EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 412th Test Wing conducted an active shooter exercise at Edwards Air Force Base today. The purpose of the exercise was to enhance base readiness and response capabilities in the event of a critical incident.
“Training of this nature is essential for maintaining our preparedness and ensuring the safety of our community,” said Lt. Col. Jeremy Hamilton, 412th Test Wing Inspector General.
The exercise scenario called for reports of shots fired inside a base facility. Within minutes, 412th Security Forces Squadron airmen responded to the scene of the incident to evacuate simulated injured victims and apprehend the suspect.
Multiple on-base agencies also participated in the exercise by initiating lockdown procedures at their work locations. The 412th TW Inspection Team coordinated evaluation of base facilities throughout the base to validate the lockdown procedures of individual work centers. Support organizations also implemented their post-emergency plans so that wing leadership could evaluate the readiness of the entire base to act in the event of a real-world emergency.
“We exercise to reduce the loss of society’s most precious resource - our people,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Gordon, 412th SFS commander. “We exercise because in a learning contest against those who wish us harm, we must win.”