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Interagency Disaster Exercise Preps Japan-Based Teams

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081107-24
Release Date: 11/7/2008 6:17:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Brian Naranjo, Naval Air Facility Misawa Public Affairs

MISAWA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. Navy medical first responders from Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa, Japan, joined with their U.S. Air Force counterparts, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and civilian emergency response teams, during an aircraft mishap drill at Misawa Airport Nov. 6.

The annual exercise is designed to reinforce the informal mutual aid agreement between the U.S. military and Japanese authorities, according to Navy Lt. Christa Thomasma, a doctor assigned to NAF Misawa.

Military and civilian teams rushed to the civilian airport in response to a simulated airplane crash that had multiple victims, with a number of injuries, highlighted in moulage makeup. A bus played the role of the aircraft during the event.

The Navy team of four, led by Thomasma, worked side-by-side with Air Force and Japanese responders, triaging and treating patients and then preparing them for evacuation.

"We pulled out all the stops in supporting this exercise," said Thomasma, "because that's what we'd do in a real emergency."

In her 18 months assigned to the Naval Air Facility, there haven't been any large-scale contingencies, but she is very mindful of the potential that exists on a daily basis.

"In this region," Thomasma explained, "not counting aircraft or automobile mishaps, there's potential for an earthquake, typhoon or tsunami, so it's always good to be prepared."

The medical and fire personnel worked seamlessly, and within an hour from initial response, the last of the four seriously injured victims were loaded on an ambulance and driven to safety.

For Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Lisa Hovde, it was just another routine part of the job.

"Exercises are the best," Hovde said with a smile. "We really dig them around here. This is the part of being a corpsman that we enjoy. We get to work together as a team, but also get to see the equipment each agency uses, and that could be crucial in a real-world disaster."

Hovde pointed out the advanced Japanese technology employed during the exercise, like a tent, capable of holding 20 patients, that is self-inflatable and only takes five minutes to set up. It also came with fluorescent lights.

"I'd never seen a tent that size, with that many capabilities before," Hovde said.

Thee 35th Medical Group Commander, Air Force Col. Guillermo Tellez, was on-scene as an observer, and liked what he saw.

"This is one of those rare moments where the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the local city can exercise all at once," said Tellez. "It was a great opportunity today and was well-executed on all fronts."

For more news from Commander, Naval Forces Japan, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnfj/.