Exercises are not a crashing bore

Incident site commander Lee Reynolds directs security at the Edinburgh Crashex. Photo by CPL Peter Gammie

Medical officer Flight Lieutenant Adam Story treats Leading Aircraftman Alexander Fox during the Tindal Crashex. Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock

A SIMULATED F-A/18 Hornet and a civilian chartered Cessna 210 collided in mid-air over RAAF Base Tindal and a simulated King Air took a bird strike on approach to RAAF Base Edinburgh in crash exercises late last year.

The annual exercises were held to test the bases’ Airfield Emergency Plans and called for a whole-of-base response to provide personnel with training on their roles and responsibilities in the event of a real airfield emergency.

The scenarios tested the cooperation and coordination between military and civilian agencies, including the local police and fire and emergency services, They also provided training in securing the accident area, managing the risk of hazardous materials to personnel, treating and evacuating the wounded, addressing the media, clearing the wreckage and re-establishing normal base flying operations.

Both exercises were declared a success with agencies involved appreciative of an opportunity to test and hone their emergency skills, share knowledge and work with their counterparts.

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