Flight Lieutenant Adrian Desavi, Leading Seaman Matt Lower and Sergeant Brendon Casey with South Australian Ambulance members during RAAF Base Edinburgh's annual Crash Exercise. Photo by LAC Jeremy Patten

While Royal Australian Air Force personnel and Red Cross and State Emergency Services volunteers are not renowned for their acting skills, they proved to be convincing "victims" at RAAF Base Edinburgh's annual Crash Exercise.

More importantly, however, the personnel involved in the exercise proved they would be able to respond appropriately if an accident involving a military aircraft occurred in South Australia.

Crash Exercise 2002 focussed around a simulated aircraft accident and activated on-base and external responses.

To add to the realism, fires were lit and many personnel were "made up" with blood and guts.

"This year's exercise involved two concurrent simulated incident sites; one on base and the other at a nearby civilian airfield," Edinburgh Base Commander Wing Commander Rick Subotkiewicz said

"This was an interesting scenario, particularly as we were required to operate two incident sites," he said.

The exercise demonstrated the teamwork and close relationship between the Air Force, Metropolitan Fire Service, SA Police, SA Ambulance and State Emergency Services. It also saw Air Force members working closely with the Country Fire Service.

"Special thanks must also go to John Bergamin, who allowed part of the Crash Exercise to be conducted at his Calvin Grove airfield, which is 3km west of RAAF Base Edinburgh.

"Co-operation between all elements is essential in meeting potential, large-scale challenges, such as an aircraft accident at or near the base."

RAAF Edinburgh's Critical Incident Stress Management was also activated to care for "relatives" of those involved in the "accident".

By Deanna Nott