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Personnel and first responders from the 50th Space Wing showcased their readiness during exercise Opinicus Vista 19-3 Nov. 17 – 20. at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.<\/p>\n
The purpose of OV 19-3 was to test and evaluate the base\u2019s ability to respond to a large-scale natural disaster with potential to impact base power and affect multiple mission sets and fulfill bi-annual active shooter scenarios.<\/p>\n
\u201cOV 19-3 incorporated a new priority, testing our Space Mission Task Force operators\u2019 abilities to maintain operations after an active shooter event has occurred,\u201d said Capt. Benjamin Christ, 50th Space Wing Inspector General\u2019s office commander’s inspection program manager.<\/p>\n
Tech. Sgt. Michael Jones, 50th SW IG wing exercise section chief, stressed exercises like these are paramount to assessing the base\u2019s ability to respond to a variety of emergencies.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cBy practicing and evaluating every component of the exercise, our team is able to have a better understanding of where our strengths and weaknesses lie and how we can better improve in the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Although this was the third exercise this year for Team Schriever, OV 19-3\u2019s significance was due to a recent real world tornado watch. It was also the largest mass casualty event ever conducted on a space operations floor at Schriever AFB.<\/p>\n
Christ said it is a humbling experience crafting base-wide exercises and to expands his knowledge as a space operations officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing in IG and working the exercises, I get to see the countless organizations across the base working together to handle emergency situations and protect the base and maintain our various mission sets,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThis includes everything from backup power production, the activation of the security forces augmentee program to the establishment of a leadership-based crisis action team.\u201d<\/p>\n
With any test or trial there are always lessons learned and it is in those lessons where the base increases its readiness<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cWe will continue to learn, grow and evolve as we exercise a variety of situations that might affect our base,\u201d Christ said. \u201cMake sure you know your unit\u2019s specific lockdown procedures, where to shelter in place as well as any other emergency specific policies and procedures your unit might have.\u201d<\/p>\n
The IG team is currently planning the next exercise slated for March 2020. The IG team advises units to current on the IG Exercise ground rules and all mandatory training requirements.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n