Operation Varsity 23-2 keeps Ramstein, Kapaun ready

A search and recovery team make their way to a simulated C–130J Super Hercules aircraft crash site during exercise Operation Varsity 23-3 at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 16. The team included U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and the 786th Force Support Squadron who were being trained to recover debris in an area where a disaster took place. Photos by Airman 1st Class Tabatha Chapman
U.S. Air Force Airmen move dummies during Operation Varsity 23-3 at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 16. The Airmen of the 86th Airlift Wing and 786th Force Support Squadron were a part of the search and recovery team during the exercise. SAR teams are tasked with finding and documenting debris and evidence at disaster sites.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kedist Burnett, 786th Force Support Squadron Wing Inspection Team member, evaluates exercise participants during exercise Operation Varsity 23-3 at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 16. WIT members observe and evaluate service members’ capabilities to accurately and safely execute their duties during the exercise time frame.
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and the 786th Force Support Squadron participate in search and recovery training during exercise Operation Varsity 23-3 at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 16. Training included locating and documenting debris from a simulated C-130J Super Hercules aircraft crash site.
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and the 786th Force Support Squadron participate in search and recovery training during exercise Operation Varsity 23-3 at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 16. The Airmen were instructed to line up and sweep the disaster site area to look for debris from a simulated C-130J Super Hercules aircraft crash site.
U.S. Air Force Airmen respond to a simulated injured personnel following a simulated active shooter scenario during exercise Operation Varsity 23-3 at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 17. This exercise evaluated the base’s response and recovery capabilities, when faced with an active shooter threat.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jaylen Brown, 86th Security Forces Squadron installation patrolman, and Staff Sgt. Tyler Robinson, 86th SFS base defense operation center controller, respond to a simulated active shooter scenario during exercise Operation Varsity 23-3 at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 17. One of the scenarios that this exercise evaluated was the base’s response and recovery capabilities when faced with an active shooter threat.
U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 86th Security Forces Squadron gather at a school entrance as part of a simulated active shooter scenario during exercise Operation Varsity 23-3, at Ramstein High School, Aug. 17. This exercise scenario tested the base’s emergency response capabilities and involved military working dog support such as Aabilene, pictured. Photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 569th United States Forces Police Squadron, U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 92nd Military Police Company, and German Polizei respond to an active shooter scenario during exercise Operation Varsity 23 -3, at Kapaun Air Station, Aug. 17.
Airmen assigned to the 569th United States Forces Police Squadron remove a medical dummy from a simulated active shooter scenario during exercise Operation Varsity 23-3, at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, Aug. 17, 2023. This exercise evaluated the base’s response and recovery capabilities, when faced with an active shooter threat.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)