Expecting the unexpected Published Feb. 20, 2009 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- War-time deployments, threats and contingencies are a reality. The 72nd Air Base Wing's Exercise Program Office wants to ensure Tinker Airmen are prepared for the hectic, challenging environment they could face. Over the past nine days, hundreds of Airmen participated in "War Wagon 09-02," a three-part exercise that trains Airmen in threatening situations. The first part simulated a deployment and encouraged Airmen to practice "ability to survive and operate" skills and wartime mission abilities. The second part of the assignment tested the wartime materiel support exercise which tested the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center industrial processes. The third was a disease containment exercise where installation personnel were tested on their ability to respond and protect people from a biological attack."No matter where you work, there are threats and contingencies that may affect you," said Paul Logan, exercise designer for the exercise program office. "Don't think because you are off in a corner of Bldg. 3001, tomorrow will be just like today." Hundreds of Airmen participated in the first part of the exercise and on Feb. 11, several were set up in a deployed atmosphere at Glenwood Training Annex, just north of Tinker on SE 29th Street. In one tent sat Maj. Lorenzo Gabiola and Tech. Sgt. Vernon Smith of the 72nd Medical Support Squadron's medical lab. Together they simulated a scenario involving contaminated yogurt. Because the medical equipment used on base and during deployments is expensive, the Airmen practice without the machinery, talking their way through the exercise. Had the major and sergeant had the necessary equipment, they said they would have extracted DNA from the sample and tested it in a safe and clean area. Within four to six hours, they would have reached their results. In another tent sat Staff Sgt. Darryl Andrews of the 72nd Force Support Squadron who said he was responsible for accountability at the deployed site. Stationed at Tinker since 2002, the sergeant said he has never deployed but has participated in several similar exercises. Sitting with two Airmen, the three of them questioned other individuals as they entered the tent, asking for identification and questioning their intentions. "I've learned to be prepared," Sergeant Andrews said. War Wagon 09-02 came on the heels of Warrior Day training courses, which wrapped Feb. 3, and a new Air Force Materiel Command initiative that launched Feb. 1. The training taught Airmen about chemical-warfare masks, post-attack reconnaissance, self-aid buddy care, weapons handling and safety. The new initiative introduced a no-notice inspection concept. Meaning, the Air Force inspector general's office can give an installation as much as 14 days notice or absolutely no warning. And, upon arrival, an IG can perform targeted compliance inspections, targeted readiness inspections, nuclear surety inspections, logistics standardization evaluation team inspections or a combination of them. They can also, though unlikely, perform full-up operational readiness inspections, unit compliance inspections and nuclear surety inspections. "With AFMC's new no-notice inspection concept, it has added a sense of urgency and importance to these exercises that in the past, we could forecast out a year from now we are going to be vulnerable. As it stands now, tomorrow we are vulnerable," Mr. Logan said. "We won't know until they're on their way." Editor's note: this is the second article in a series meant to help maintain readiness and be prepared for AFMCs new no-notice inspection program.