Camp Arifjan hosts MASCAL/active shooter exercise

Photo By Sgt. Alexander Neely | Spc. Aaron Burd, military police officer for Third Army/ARCENT, arrests a suspect during a MASCAL/Active shooter exercise on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Oct. 23, 2012. The exercise, which incorporated all emergency services on base, was intended to build confidence and understanding of real-life scenarios. "You think you will know what you will do in a situation like this, but until you go through these exercises you don't really understand it," said Burd, a Rochester, Minnesota native. "I definitely feel more prepared if ever a situation were to occur."  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

10.23.2012

Story by Spc. Alexander Neely 

12th Public Affairs Detachment   

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – A mass casualty/active shooter exercise was held here Oct. 23, 2012.

Emergency services, including the military police, K-9 unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, emergency medical technicians, Criminal Investigation Command, fire department and Quick Reaction Force, attended the exercise with the intention of gaining confidence and an understanding of a real-life crisis.

“We look at this knowing that if we only get a chance to come out today and learn each other’s capabilities and properly use the Incident Command System, the exercise was a success,” said Capt. Samuel Arnett, military police officer for Area Support Group-Kuwait. “In general, this is really a holistic picture of how we can all work together.”

During the exercise, two shooters, played by soldiers, entered the Morale, Welfare and Recreation building with M4 semi-automatic rifles. Once inside the movie theater, the shooters simulated killing four Soldiers and injuring two. The military police, minutes later, responded to the call.

“My partner and I were the MPs who showed up on scene,” said Spc. Aaron Burt, a military police officer for Third Army/ARCENT. “We secured the scene, neutralized the threat, and stood by for the other services to take care of their job.”

Outside of the MWR, EMTs provided medical care while corresponding emergency services planned operations to investigate the scene.

“We are looking for an honest picture of the things we did well but also, more importantly, the things we need to improve on,” said Arnett, a Murray, Kentucky native. “These exercises also give the community here, the soldiers and service members in Kuwait, a level of confidence in the emergency response talent.”

Although the overall results will not be revealed until the completion of the exercise, Burt, said he believes benefits are already evident.

"You think you will know what you will do in a situation like this, but until you go through these exercises you don't really understand it," said Burt, a Rochester, Minnesota native. "I definitely feel more prepared if ever a situation were to occur."

In two weeks, an official review of the exercise will be conducted by each participating organization.

• Date Taken: 10.23.2012
• Date Posted: 10.23.2012 11:27
• Story ID: 96614
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW