EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — The 96th Test Wing will conduct a joint aircraft mass casualty accident response exercise on Sept. 25, during which General Bond Boulevard will close from 8 a.m. to noon.
According to a news release, the exercise aims to evaluate the wing’s ability to establish and maintain command, control and coordination with multiple agencies on and off base.
Base officials say that the exercise will partner with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and replicate a major airline crash. The exercise will include participation from Eglin’s fire department, Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office; 96th Security Forces Squadron, 96th Medical Group, Air Methods, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin and Twin Cities Hospital and the District One Medical Examiner’s Office.
During the exercise, nearby motorists might see smoke, people with simulated injuries and emergency medical services from Eglin Air Force Base and Okaloosa County responding to the exercise where General Bond Boulevard and Highway 85 connect, along with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport’s cargo area.
Employees at the 96th Medical Group and local hospitals might also see people with simulated injuries being treated by medical staff.
The exercise will also satisfy Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airports’ tri-annual review of its emergency action plan.
For more information, contact the 96th TW Public Affairs office at 850-882-3931.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Eglin AFB mass casualty exercise will close General Bond Blvd Sept. 25
