EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The 96th Test Wing will participate in a joint aircraft mass casualty accident response exercise Dec. 11 requiring General Bond Boulevard to close from 8 a.m. to noon.
The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate the wing’s ability to establish and maintain command, control, and coordination with multiple agencies on and off base. It also satisfies the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport’s tri-annual review of its emergency action plan.
The exercise scenario in partnership with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport will replicate a major airline crash. Exercise participants will include Eglin, Ocean City Wright, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, North Bay, and Okaloosa Island fire departments; Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety’s emergency management and emergency medical services; Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, 96th Security Forces Squadron, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and FBI; as well as the 96th Medical Group, Air Methods, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, and District One Medical Examiner’s Office. The 96th TW Safety office and the 96th Force Support Squadron will conduct simulated search and recovery efforts.
Motorists may see smoke, people with simulated injuries, and emergency medical services from responding to the exercise where General Bond Boulevard and Highway 85 connect, along with the Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport’s cargo area. People at the 96th MDG and HCA Florida Twin Cities may see people with simulated injuries being treated by medical staff.
For more information, contact the 96th TW Public Affairs office at (850) 882-3931.