Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

(Right to left) Airman 1st Class Jalen Brodit and Tetsuaki Nihei, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, arrive at a simulated aircraft crash site during a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. The MARE passengers of the simulated accident sustained varying levels of injuries. Yokota first responders conducted the drill to ensure they are ready for any aircraft emergency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

(Left to right) Airman 1st Class Jalen Brodit and Tetsuaki Nihei, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, perform a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) on a simulated aircraft accident victim during a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. The MARE tested the response times and processes of various units on Yokota, familiarizing the units with emergency procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

Tetsuaki Nihei, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, prepares to respond to a simulated aircraft crash during a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. The first response step taken during a MARE is securing the area and dealing with imminent dangers, such as fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

Tech Sgt. Chance Riley, 374th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron independent duty medical technician, performs Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) on a simulated aircraft accident victim during a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. The MARE tested the response times and processes of various units on Yokota, familiarizing the units with emergency procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

(Left to right) Master Sgt. Joseph Blake and Tech. Sgt. Jose Olivera, both assigned to the 374th Security Forces Squadron, gather information about a simulated aircraft crash during a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. Security Forces members ensure an accident site is secure and limit access to the area, mitigating danger to the community and enabling an efficient emergency response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

Independent duty medical technicians assigned to the 374th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron conduct Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on a simulated aircraft accident victim during a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. Medical personnel are responsible for assessing injuries and demonstrating the proper care required for crash victims. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

Yokota firefighters assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron carry a simulated aircraft crash victim during a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. Once the area surrounding the site of an accident is secure, first responders can start recovering victims and executing emergency care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

Tech Sgt. Chance Riley, 374th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron independent duty medical technician, transfers a simulated aircraft crash victim to an ambulance during a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. Exercises are planned by the 374th Inspector General team, which means first responders are unaware of the location or nature of any planned simulations and have to be prepared for any and all situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Team Yokota conducts annual MARE

Published Feb. 16, 2023
By Yasuo Osakabe
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Team Yokota held a Major Accident Response Exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16. The exercise is also scheduled to repeat before the 2023 Friendship Festival, so the entire installation is primed for any emergency.

“The purpose of the MARE is base-wide preparation for a mishap,” said Capt. Alex Randall, 374th Airlift Wing Safety chief of flight safety. “This ensures that all first responders and supporting agencies are ready.”

The MARE scenario simulated a C-12 Huron aircraft crash to test the base response in a high-stress environment.

“Today, we are practicing firefighting techniques, medical care, fuel spill cleanup, fuel sampling and safety investigation board initiation, and safeguarding of evidence,” said Randall.

Realistic scenarios also help leadership evaluate the readiness of their personnel and resources should an incident occur.

“We have created a scenario involving a local aircraft and we expect all agencies on base to run their checklists as if it were a real world,” said Randall. “Mishaps are rare, and a scenario like we practiced today is unlikely to occur, but training hard prepares us to respond to any contingency.”

Team Yokota executed the emergency response and then transitioned the scenario to the Interim Safety Board for a simulated investigation initiation.

“We are definitely prepared for any potential mishap we may face,” said Randall.