Constant Vigilance is imperative on Okinawa

Photo By Sgt. Heather Golden | Marine Corps Bases Japan firefighters rescue a dummy, simulated victim, during Constant Vigilance on Camp Courtney last year. Similar scenarios will be played out during this year's Constant Vigilance.  

CAMP BUTLER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.07.2010

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

Constant Vigilance, an annual Marine Corps Bases Japan exercise on Okinawa, will begin Monday and conclude, May 14. The exercise is designed to test consequence management and emergency response capabilities.

Most of the field scenarios will be conducted aboard Marine Corps Air Station Futenma all week. However, all other camps and the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa will be involved in field training, May 14.

Everyone is cautioned to be prepared for possible delays entering or exiting gates, May 14, due to increased force protection conditions during the exercise. Extra travel time should be added into travel schedule that day. Also, everyone should be watchful of first responders and allow them to do their jobs.

Those who find themselves in the middle of a scenario aboard base, May 14, are cautioned to follow the directions of force protection personnel and military police and be patient while the exercise scenario unfolds, stated Maurice Lacey, director of the Emergency Operation Center.

This years Constant Vigilance will better test Marine Corps Bases Japan's capabilities, said exercise planners. The field training portion of the exercise will involve increased force protection conditions as result of simulated terrorist attacks and crisis response scenarios. Crisis response scenarios may involve medical, fire, police, security patrols, or quick reaction forces' immediate actions.

The annually-run MCBJ exercise had focused strictly on antiterrorism in the past, but this year, the exercise is shifting to mission assurance as the final goal, according to Tim Morello, the antiterrorism officer for Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.

"What we are looking at are the possibilities for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, critical infrastructure failures and other hazards," said Morello. "Mission assurance is how we effectively integrate various programs toward protecting service members and family members as well as protecting critical infrastructure. We must be ready to confront all hazards that could jeopardize the Marine Corps' ability to execute our global mission."

This "all hazards" approach to emergency response and recovery has infused new life into the exercise, while giving it a far deeper purpose and wider scope, said planners. The changes to this year's Constant Vigilance are based on assessments of previous exercises, stated Morello. The exercise will include a three-day table-top exercise, a day to synthesize lessons learned, and conclude with the one-day field training exercise with all camps involved.

The table-top exercise, which runs from Monday until Wednesday will allow planners and subject matter experts from all services to sit down and run through their procedures without actually having an emergency take place, explained Morello. By discussing potential threats and hazards, plans and procedures will be refined, and lists of assets and capabilities will be produced to better prepare all installations on Okinawa for a crisis, he added.

"There are a vast amount of assets, resources and capabilities on this island that we all need to know about," said Morello.

There is a great amount of anticipation on how the changes to the exercise will improve the mission assurance capabilities of MCBJ, declared Lacey.

"We are moving away from the assumptions and back to reality. This exercise will show us what we can do, how soon we can do it, where are the gaps and who can help fill them," said Lacey. "Across the service components there is a common goal of being prepared."

Due to the training, May 14, the USNH routine medical and administrative business will be limited. Patients coming to Camp Lester can expect delays and increased security at the gates. All pre-existing appointments scheduled for that day will remain scheduled and emergency care will still be available.

• Date Taken: 05.07.2010
• Date Posted: 05.09.2010 21:57
• Story ID: 49374
• Location: CAMP BUTLER, OKINAWA, JP