FSS Airmen renew exercise skills

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Briana Jones
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  In order to help prepare for the upcoming wing inspection, Airmen from the 31st Force Support Squadron participated in a crisis-response exercise that tested their ability to provide emergency services to an influx of personnel.

More than 100 FSS Airmen participated in the exercise from several FSS agencies to include: The dining facility, fitness centers, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and mortuary affairs as well as other small units.

The FSS Airmen received their unannounced notification at 5 a.m. When they arrived at 7.a.m with their required equipment they were briefed on an exercise scenario. The scenario was a simulated airplane crash and they had 15 minutes to come up with a plan and brief it to FSS leadership.

"The Airmen were put on the spot and they had to use skills that have been sitting on the backburner," said Maj. Maritzel Castrellon, 31st FSS sustainment flight services commander. "This is good training because it was impromptu and there are going to be a lot of errors, but they will be corrected on the spot and they will continue to move on."
Once Airmen briefed their plan, they had an hour and a half to execute it and come back to brief leadership on their progress.

Staff Sgt. Temeka Paschal-Vassell, 31st FSS lodging front-desk supervisor, was part of the contingency lodging team. She along with others placed approximately 100 cots inside the Falcon Fitness Center, checked in simulated personnel, assigned bedding and kept accountability.

"Although this training was a surprise, it is good training for us. This sheds light on what we would be doing if we are ever downrange," said Paschal-Vessell. "This training also reminds us that we need to be prepared for anything and everything at all times."

During the exercise, Airmen also practiced search and recovery efforts as well delivering death notifications. Members from the Mortuary Affairs Office sat down with simulated spouses to see --and feel-- what it would be like to make a death notification while honing their interpersonal communication skills.

"It was interesting to see how Airmen took on leadership roles and how, in the end, they all came together to get everything done," said Maj. Nathan Williams, 31st FSS operations officer. "This exercise was a success and hopefully taught Airmen the most important thing, 'Always be ready.'"