Disaster simulation exercise works on teamwork at MK

Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | Spc. Alan Garcia (front) and Sgt. David Naladez, both firefighters with the 463rd Engineer Detachment, an Army Reserve unit based in Houston, Texas, prepare to enter a potential hotspot during an an electrical fire caused by a catastrophic failure of a generator during a cold weather electrical outage exercise here Nov. 13. The exercise was part of a base-wide plan to strengthen cooperation among the services on base as they refine standard operating procedures. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Kevin McSwain, 21st TSC Public Affairs)  

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, ROMANIA

11.19.2014

Courtesy Story

21st Theater Sustainment Command

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania – Blaring sirens and flashing lights cut through the dense fog of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base as first responders arrived on the scene of an electrical grid explosion and meltdown.

This was the beginning of a scenario during a recent cold weather electrical outage exercise on the permanent forward operations site of the air base.

The exercise, conducted Nov. 13, was part of a base-wide plan to strengthen cooperation among the services on base as they refine standard operating procedures.

“This is a unique contingent,” said Capt. Dustin Zawalich, an electrical support officer for the department of public works with the Black Sea Area Support Team. “We must be able to function together during an emergency to ensure the safety of all personnel on base.”

Zawalich said the training helps find issues with the current plan and also produces the opportunity for inter-service cooperation.

“We schedule these exercises to help find any opportunity for improvement in the process,” the Waukesha, Wisconsin native said.
The team effort impressed Zawalich as soldiers of the 21st Regional Sustainment Element of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command and BSACT worked together to ensure training was effective and successful.

“The ‘team of teams’ concept was definitely seen today as all teams stayed vigilant and worked hand-in-hand to ensure positive completion of the exercise,” Zawalich said.

This marks the third exercise Zawalich participated in with this being the first he planned and managed. Other events included an airfield incident and an active shooter exercise.

“All these exercises work to make our force stronger,” Zawalich said. “This helps to minimize casualties if anything like this or any other situation was to happen.”

• Date Taken: 11.19.2014
• Date Posted: 12.10.2014 04:35
• Story ID: 149893
• Location: MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO
• Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US
• Hometown: WAUKESHA, WI, US