Knowing attack warning and response procedures saves lives

Photo By Master Sgt. John Gordinier | Airman 1st Class SirBralin Robertson (right), 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency manager, trains Tech. Sgt. Derek Stancle and Staff Sgt. Stephen Mirza, both assigned to the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group, on how to perform post-attack reconnaissance sweeps here May 20. PAR training prepares Airmen to recognize and report unexploded ordnance, survey damage, and report casualties and contamination after an attack. Robertson, a native of Ft. Worth, Texas, is deployed here from Kadena Air Base, Japan.  

BALAD, IRAQ

05.22.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. John Gordinier 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — When an Airman first arrives here for their deployment, the first thing they see is a video what to do during an attack.

"They watch the video because the threat here is real and understanding what to do may save your life or someone else's," said Staff Sgt. Renaissance Henry, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management plans and operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge.

Most have been engaged in emergency exercises at home stations, but there are different procedures when deployed here.

"At home station, when you hear 'alarm red or alarm yellow,' it's for the whole installation, but here we localize the alarms," said Airman 1st Class Courtney Jones, 332nd ECES emergency management plans and operations journeyman.

Alarm signals such as "alarm red" and "alarm yellow" are localized to the affected areas in order to minimize the impact on base operations. So if the north side of base is receiving an attack, that area can be put into "alarm red" to protect personnel without hindering operations elsewhere on JBB.

While at home station alarm yellow means attack is probable, here alarm yellow means: release units' pre-designated post-attack reconnaissance teams to conduct sweeps, added the Palmdale, Calif., native deployed here from Misawa Air Base, Japan. So alarm yellow is used after the attack rather than before. In addition, alarm green is announced with "all clear," but it only means the attack is over and to remain vigilant for unexploded ordnance.

Known as the "Giant Voice," the Klaxon is the tower system that plays all wing audible alarms and messages here.

"If anyone here hears the Klaxon alarm or hears 'incoming, incoming, incoming,' they should immediately lay face-down on the ground protecting their eyes and ears," Sergeant Henry said. "If in a vehicle, safely pull over, exit the vehicle, and lay face-down on the ground protecting your eyes and ears. If you're indoors, maintain a low-profile and don your individual body armor."

After two minutes, if there are no additional alarms or explosions, maintain a low profile and move to cover, continued the Hingham, Mass., native also deployed here from Misawa AB, Japan. Cover is a hardened structure or bunker. If others are moving about prior to the "all-clear" message, alert them of the attack and tell them to move to cover.

"After 10 minutes or when you hear 'all clear,' you may continue with normal activities, but keep in mind that the 'all-clear' message only means the attack is over," Sergeant Henry said. "You must still remain vigilant for UXOs and additional hazards."

Overall, Henry said, there are more than 130 Klaxon towers here. The Klaxon system detects inbound mortars and rockets, and predicts the projected point of impact. When this happens, the system delivers the audible alarm and voice message to all Klaxon towers within a 500-meter radius.

"Once you hear this alarm, you'll have roughly four-to-seven seconds before impact in that area," she said. "This is why it's so important that everyone immediately lay face-down protecting their eyes and ears."

Henry said many people ask: "Wouldn't it be better to run to a bunker or inside a building?" The answer is "No."

The reason to immediately lay face-down is simple, she said. Mortars and rockets typically explode upon impacting the ground. When this happens, they project shrapnel in upward and outward directions.

"By standing, walking, or running, you expose your body and create a bigger target," the sergeant said. "Immediately lying face-down minimizes your profile and reduces the risk of becoming a casualty.

"By the time you recognize the Klaxon alarm is sounding and go through the mental process of 'what action do I take,' you've already used up two-to-three seconds of your very short four-to-seven second warning time," continued Henry. "This is why it's so important that everyone lay face-down immediately covering their eyes and ears. Don't hesitate!"

When "all clear" or "alarm green" is announced, this means the attack is over and personnel may return to normal operations. This does not mean all hazards are gone, which is why the message directs that personnel should "remain vigilant for UXOs."

Also, accountability is not automatic. Service members must listen to the voice announcements. When "all clear" is declared, this is when the determination for accountability is made, Henry said.

"If you missed the message and are unsure of what to do, contact your supervisor or unit control center for more information," she concluded.

• Date Taken: 05.22.2009
• Date Posted: 05.22.2009 08:46
• Story ID: 33956
• Location: BALAD, IQ