Active-shooter exercise tests Vance's ability to react Published June 10, 2010 By Joe B. Wiles 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Joe Dirt and his wife, Brandy, were cleared to enter Vance AFB, Okla., the morning of June 1 by a sympathetic senior officer who knew they were mourning the death of their son, a recent wash-out from pilot training. But when the car carrying Mr. and Mrs. Dirt arrived at the 8th and 33rd Flying Training Squadron building, the morning took a decisive turn for everyone at Vance. Armed with a red plastic training gun, Mr. Dirt, a character played by James Popham, a base maintenance contractor, kicked off an active-shooter exercise by entering the training squadron building and simulating a shooting spree in which the 33rd FTS commander was the target. Similar shooter exercises were also beginning at Altus AFB, Okla., and Sheppard AFB, Texas, two other Air Education and Training Command bases. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, AETC commander, recently directed all AETC bases plan and execute active-shooter exercises. After months of planning, Vance's exercise was underway. One of the fleeing exercise victims, who escaped when the active-shooter was reloading, called the base crime stop number. Within moments security forces members formed a team and were preparing to enter the flying squadron building. Their normal duty weapons were exchanged for red plastic training guns. "The exercise was designed to evaluate the base's ability to respond to an emergency situation involving one or more active shooters," said Lt. Col. Stephen Wisser, 71st FTW Plans and Exercises chief. Before the security forces Airmen entered the building, the active-shooter's wife ran across the street, and entered the 32nd FTS building and began shouting, "You're next, you're next." An exercise lockdown ordered base wide via the giant voice loudspeakers, by e-mail, telephone calls and the computer network's notification system, closing the gates and encouraging everyone outdoors to seek cover as office lights were turned off and doors were locked tight. During the next few minutes, the actor with the fake gun simulated killing 15 people and wounding 14 others before he was stopped, ironically, by one of the wounded. The shooter's wife, still on the loose, ran through the wing headquarters building, threatening the occupants hiding behind locked office doors, until a security forces team apprehended her. Although the excitement of the exercise was over, the real work began -- dealing with the aftermath of unexpected violence. An entry control point was established. First responders moved in to assess the injuries and begin lifesaving operations. Security forces investigators separated victims from witnesses for interviews that would later be turned over to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Sheets were ordered from lodging to cover the deceased. Gun-shot victims were transported to local hospitals. Actors portraying family members of the shooter's victims went to the Emergency Family Assistance Control Center for help and comfort. A Traumatic Stress Response team from the 71st Medical Group Mental Health office was called to the scene because an exercise member of the first responders wasn't handling the aftermath very well. Then the calls from news media began with more exercise actors portraying reporters and camera operators from Fox News, CNN, Oklahoma City television stations and the local newspaper. They were demanding information on the shooting, especially in light of similar events at two other AETC bases. The exercise continued throughout the morning hours, as senior leaders, who had gathered in the base command post within moments of the shooter's first shot, coordinated the many actions needed to assess and respond to the needs of Team Vance. By mid-afternoon, the exercise was terminated. The actors had returned to their normal duties, offices were back in full operation and base leadership was holding a table-top discussion about follow-up actions and lessons learned. The efforts and imagination of the planners and participants in this active-shooter exercise provided important and realistic training, said Colonel Wisser. "Vance is better prepared now to react swiftly and effectively should the unexpected happen," he said.