Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Jared Lovett
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs March 11, 2022
Exercise Operation Varsity 22-1 took place at Kaiserslautern High School at Vogelweh Air Base, March 1.
OV 22-1 tested the 86th Airlift Wing’s emergency management capabilities. The exercise simulated an active shooter event to test base security and first responders’ ability to react rapidly and effectively under such circumstances.
Airmen assigned to the Kaiserslautern Military Community participate in an active shooter readiness exercise during exercise Operation Varsity 22-1 at Vogelweh Air Base, March 1. Wing inspection team members followed Airmen from various groups to collect data on whether or not they followed proper procedures and provided casualties with the care they needed.
“The purpose of this exercise is to see how quickly we can respond to this incident, neutralize the suspects and render care to the casualties,” said Master Sgt. Stephanie Coronado, 86 AW inspector general readiness inspector.
The 569th United States Forces Police Squadron and military police were tasked with neutralizing the threat and performing a sweep of the building before providing care for the injured.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Willian Rhea, 569th United States Forces Police Squadron patrolman, neutralizes a simulated active shooter threat during exercise Operation Varsity 22-1 at Kaiserslautern High School at Vogelweh Air Base, March 1. Wing inspection team members followed Airmen from various groups to collect data on how they react to every situation they encounter and to take note on whether or not they followed proper procedures.
“More and more active shooters are happening throughout the world and we want to make sure that everyone knows what to do in the event of an active shooter,” said Master Sgt. David Culp, 86 AW inspector general readiness inspection planner.
During the exercise, wing inspection team members followed various groups such as the medical team, firefighters and military police, to collect data on how they followed procedures and to note how they reacted to various situations during the exercise.
“Once we get through the event, we collect the data and write our after action report, then we can bring that down to the units so that they can use that information to improve,” said Coronado.
By preparing for the worst, Airmen will be ready to respond quickly and effectively to stop any threat and ensure the safety of those on base.
Airmen assigned to the 569th United States Forces Police Squadron neutralize a simulated active shooter threat during exercise Operation Varsity 22-1 at Kaiserslautern High School at Vogelweh Air Base, March 1. Wing inspection team members followed Airmen from various groups to collect data on how they reacted to every situation they encountered and to take note on whether or not they followed proper procedures.
U.S. Air Force Nathan Craddock, 569th United States Forces Police Squadron standardization and evaluations, clears out the magazine well of a M4 Carbine during exercise Operation Varsity 22-1 which simulated an active shooter threat at Vogelweh Air Base, March 1. To ensure the safety of all participants in this exercise, no live-rounds were used.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mikayla Mohead, 86th Medical Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of personnel administration, acts as a casualty during exercise Operation Varsity 22-1 at Kaiserslautern High School at Vogelweh Air Base, March 1. Wing inspection team members followed Airmen from various groups to collect data on whether or not they followed proper procedures and provided casualties with the care they needed.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cameron Husted, 569th United States Forces Police Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of combat arms, right, and Staff Sgt. Mark Nelson, 569 USFPS combat arms instructor, discuss exercise Operation Varsity 22-1 at Vogelweh Air Base, March 1. This exercise simulated an active shooter threat in order to test the capabilities of first responders to react under such circumstances.
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