Mustangs charge into Beverly Midnight 13-03

by Senior Airman Kristina Overton
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/5/2013 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  -- The base transitioned into a heightened state of defense and readiness as Beverly Midnight 13-03, the fourth simulated wartime contingency exercise of 2013, kicked off at Osan Aug. 5.

The week-long exercise tests Airmen's ability to position, employ and sustain forces as well as to utilize their chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training.

"Osan plays an integral role in the defense of South Korea in the event of North Korean aggression so we develop realistic exercise scenarios to test our response capabilities," said Lt. Col. Oliver Rick, 51st Fighter Wing plans and exercises director. "Our rigorous exercise tempo is critical to keep our focus on the mission, hone our war fighting skills and understand how teamwork enables us to defend the base, receive follow-on forces and take the fight to the enemy."

Rotating 12-hour shifts, members of Team Osan provide combat ready forces for close air support, air strike control, counter air, interdiction, theater airlift, and communications in the defense of the ROK. These operational readiness exercises also include day-to-day tasks essential to mission readiness, and scenarios that include administering self-aid and buddy-care during a contingency, and executing essential tasks using operational risk management.

With temperatures getting up past 90 degrees throughout the week, safety is also a necessity during BM 13-03. The 51st Fighter Wing safety office makes it a priority to monitor Airmen as they perform, reminding members to utilize the wingman concept in making sure they are hydrating, wearing proper gear and mitigating hazards and risks.

"It's going to be hot out there," said Master Sgt. Tanisha Williams, 51st FW ground safety manager. "One of our biggest concerns is making sure that Airmen are watching out for their buddies, and making sure that they are hydrating. Each person is important in order to complete the mission. If something happens to someone, that person has to be replaced to fulfill those responsibilities, so we have to make sure that we are taking extra precautions and being safe. We have to be ready. From a natural disaster to a real world enemy attack, we have to prepared at all times."

Along with safety, the Exercise Evaluation Team observes Airmen during the exercise to ensure they are completing their objectives by the book.

"We challenge base personnel to react to a given scenario and evaluate their response against established standards," said Master Sgt. Thomas Longworth 51st Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management section chief. "Deviations from training or policy is recorded, researched and reported according to the level of mission impact. These deviations, or "findings," provide us the opportunity to hone an otherwise fine-tuned machine."