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MCBJ conducts readiness exercise

US Marine Corps News

5/20/2011
By Lance Cpl. Jovane M. Henry, Marine Corps Bases Japan

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan -- Marines and Department of Defense civilians with Marine Corps Bases Japan conducted Exercise Typhoon Ready 11, a typhoon readiness exercise, here May 16-19.

The purpose of the exercise was to train damage control organizations, verify destructive weather standard operating procedures and prepare personnel for the upcoming typhoon season, which begins June 1, according to Glen Andrews, operations and training officer, MCBJ.

Typhoon readiness exercises are conducted annually, in preparation for the typhoon season to ensure every Marine knows their role when it comes to ensuring the safety of each base and its personnel, said Maj. Ronnie Michael, director of the Regional Contracting Office - Facilities Engineer, Marine Corps Bases Japan, and a typhoon watch officer for the exercise.

“It is vital for Marines to be aware of the procedures to follow when entering typhoon conditions,” said Michael. “The goal is for Marines to know their part so we are all on the same page when a typhoon is imminent.”

The exercise involved a simulated typhoon which followed a scripted movement toward Okinawa, directly impacting all Marine Corps installations here.

Operation centers on all Marine Corps camps were activated to respond to the simulated disaster, successfully following protocol when it came to reporting the status of the typhoon, along with information and updates on damage, personnel accountability and security, added Michael.

Additional facets of the exercise focused on evaluating camp and station Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness warnings and notifications, testing lines of communication, and ensuring typhoon watch teams were familiar with their responsibilities and protocols.

By the end of the exercise, response procedures should be muscle memory for Marines and civilians who play a role in ensuring the safety of base personnel, said Maj. Mark Burrell, operations officer for Provost Marshall’s Office, Marine Corps Bases Japan.

“We have to be able to depend on one another and be confident in our abilities to properly conduct our response actions,” said Burrell. “Plans can’t wait until the last minute. Practice makes perfect.”