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Hurlburt conducts no-notice exercise

  • Published
  • By Amy Oliver
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Col. Greg Lengyel, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, directed a no-notice active shooter scenario exercise today at 11:30 a.m. in the 1st Special Operations Wing headquarters building.

The scenario was intended to simulate the recent Fort Hood, Texas, shooting to test the reactions of first responders, bystanders and office workers if a similar crisis were to occur at Hurlburt Field.

The scenario was realistic but closely monitored for safety. As a requirement in all Air Force exercises, all statements, announcements, conversations or e-mails pertaining to the scenario began and ended with "Exercise, Exercise, Exercise" to prevent confusion or panic.

Base officials notified local law enforcement prior to the exercise in case anyone dialed 911, and they scanned the exercise area for children who may be frightened prior to the mock attack, and asked them to move to another area of the building during the exercise.

"This is a response drill," said Colonel Lengyel. "I wanted to see what people would do if this actually happened."

Only about a dozen base personnel knew about the exercise before it happened.

The based locked down. The gates closed. The "Giant Voice," as the base' s public address system is known, announced the mock attack. Everyone sitting at their computers received a pop-up notice.

Unsuspecting participants were confused, which led to miscommunication, all of which was expected, and all of which ensued on that fateful day at Fort Hood.

In all, the exercise lasted only 35 minutes, and was terminated after the shooter was neutralized and first responders completed their actions.

"The Fort Hood shooting is a tragic reminder that crises often come without notice," Colonel Lengyel said. "Everyone, first responders or not, should consider actions they would take to save lives during such an event."

The base plans to conduct the exercise multiple times in differing locations in the coming months.