Lost and Found - Hickam Airmen participate search and recovery training

by Senior Airman Christopher Stoltz
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs

10/17/2013 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  -- To better prepare for possible accidents and incidents on base, Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam completed their first search and recovery team training on Sept. 26, held on Hickam Beach.

The purpose of the search and recovery team is to respond to military-related incidents on base, including military vehicle, aircraft mishap and mass casualty incidents, if and when they occur.

If called upon, the team must search and cover selected areas, keeping an eye out for evidence, things out of place, or personal effects. A line is formed with one step taken at a time, a quick search of that immediate area conducted, and then the line moves one step forward yet again.

Anything that could be considered out of place is collected, then bagged and tagged as evidence. The team then covers the entire area again from a different direction, only to ensure nothing has been missed.

According to Air Force Technical Sgt. Brian Wingo, 647th Force Support Squadron Unit Training Manager and search and recovery team lead, said the training, hosted quarterly, is used to train Airmen to recover and help preserve evidence, which could help determine the cause of an incident.

"Search and recovery is important because it provides a method to recover and return home the remains of fallen personnel," he said. "The team is trained to conduct operations to recover all remains, and do so in a manner that preserves dignity and respect."

Wingo has only been a part of the team on Hickam for nine months, but said he has been fortunate enough to have never needed to respond to a real-world incident. However, this does not stop him from ensuring new Airmen added to the team know how to respond accordingly.

"Usually, we (the instructors) will conduct a classroom session covering search and recovery procedures," he said. "Then we will go out and apply those instructions in the field. The location for the outdoor portion changes to keep a sense of realism, because the terrain for a real-world incident could be anywhere."

Maintaining a sense of realism in a training environment is nearly as important as ensuring the training given is the best it can possibly be. This is why Air Force Staff Sgt. Jay Waddell, Hickam Mortuary Affairs non-commissioned officer in charge, not only helps maintain and train the team, but the trainer as well.

"I draw up a crash site for the team and give all the crash details to the team lead," said Waddell. "I inspect the team lead on his communication and leadership, as well as question him or her on the procedures they are about to conduct. I also conduct equipment checks and see if the team lead inspects said equipment prior to sending their team out."

Waddell said the teams are there help aid Civil Engineering, Security Forces and local law-enforcement agencies, if there ever is a need. He also said sharing part of the flight line with the Honolulu International Airport makes the team that much more helpful if there ever was an incident.

"Completing the training and providing hypothetical situations for my team ensures that I'll have the knowledge to perform the mission," he said. "Accidents happen all the time, so I have to be ready to lead my team into any operation."