In my short, three-year Air Force career, I have participated in more than 10 exercises and inspections. I’ve always known exercises were an important factor in readiness, but it wasn’t until I participated in a recent noncombatant
evacuation operation exercise that I really understood what they were for.
The nation was in turmoil. I was an evacuee forced to leave my country to save my life. We were gathered and put onto an aircraft and flown to what was called a “safe haven.” There, we were told that we would have to be processed and screened. I was confused and didn’t know what was going to happen or where I was going.
We were shuffled on to buses and transported to our processing site. When I stepped off the bus I swear it was colder than it was before. Loud screeches told me we had to be close to some sort of airfield. They lined us up and checked our bags right away, probably for contraband. After that we were all weighed and asked if we had any medical conditions. I was scared and unsure, but I felt I would be safe.
The exercise evaluation team put Airmen to the test with many types of adversities like a power outage, a woman in labor and a man who couldn’t speak English. With each adversity, the scenario became more and more realistic. They handled everything that was thrown at them with ease. This sort of processing line and tracking system is new to the Air Force, and if there was a hiccup, I couldn’t see it.
Getting to play a role in the NEO was an experience I won’t forget. I looked around me and, at that point in time, I understood the importance of readiness.
As I watched each Airman handle each unique situation, I understood why I was there. I was there to help test the readiness of my fellow Airmen who may actually be charged with evacuating a country if the need ever presents itself.
I felt like I could count on the Airmen charged with these duties as an evacuee. They guided me from my confusion. They took what they were doing seriously, with a steadfast attitude to get their job done well. It built my confidence in them and I knew I could trust them to get me to safety.
I was happy to be a part of an exercise of this importance. The Air Force is doing more to help remove noncombatants from dangerous places, and with events like Operations Odyssey Dawn to Tomodachi, the Air Force has and will continue to provide enduring relief to those in need.
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In my short, three-year Air Force career, I have participated in more than 10 exercises and inspections. I’ve always known exercises were an important factor in readiness, but it wasn’t until I participated in a recent noncombatant
evacuation operation exercise that I really understood what they were for.
The nation was in turmoil. I was an evacuee forced to leave my country to save my life. We were gathered and put onto an aircraft and flown to what was called a “safe haven.” There, we were told that we would have to be processed and screened. I was confused and didn’t know what was going to happen or where I was going.
We were shuffled on to buses and transported to our processing site. When I stepped off the bus I swear it was colder than it was before. Loud screeches told me we had to be close to some sort of airfield. They lined us up and checked our bags right away, probably for contraband. After that we were all weighed and asked if we had any medical conditions. I was scared and unsure, but I felt I would be safe.
The exercise evaluation team put Airmen to the test with many types of adversities like a power outage, a woman in labor and a man who couldn’t speak English. With each adversity, the scenario became more and more realistic. They handled everything that was thrown at them with ease. This sort of processing line and tracking system is new to the Air Force, and if there was a hiccup, I couldn’t see it.
Getting to play a role in the NEO was an experience I won’t forget. I looked around me and, at that point in time, I understood the importance of readiness.
As I watched each Airman handle each unique situation, I understood why I was there. I was there to help test the readiness of my fellow Airmen who may actually be charged with evacuating a country if the need ever presents itself.
I felt like I could count on the Airmen charged with these duties as an evacuee. They guided me from my confusion. They took what they were doing seriously, with a steadfast attitude to get their job done well. It built my confidence in them and I knew I could trust them to get me to safety.
I was happy to be a part of an exercise of this importance. The Air Force is doing more to help remove noncombatants from dangerous places, and with events like Operations Odyssey Dawn to Tomodachi, the Air Force has and will continue to provide enduring relief to those in need.