KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- A bilateral natural disaster exercise was held on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4 to test and improve evacuation procedures between members of Team Kadena and the local community.
Approximately 130 Chatan Town residents participated in a simulated evacuation drill from low elevation areas near the Sunabe Seawall to higher ground, in the event of a tsunami.
This annual drill began with a car driving around Chatan Town, announcing the drill over a loud speaker.
Security Forces personnel provided gate entry to all participants and provided escorts as participants made their way from Gate 1 to the designated recovery zone at Gate 5.
Airmen from the 18th Medical Group stood by to provide medical care throughout the nearly two mile walk. Attendees were greeted with refreshments upon arriving at their destination by Col. Paul Oldham, 18th Mission Support Group commander, and Osamu Tamanaha, Chatan Town director of general affairs.
“We help cooperate with this exercise by opening Kadena Air Base, allowing for a quicker route to higher ground and ensuring the townspeople know the route in the case of a real emergency,” said Oldham.
Preparation is invaluable when the need to respond to a disaster arises. This sort of exercise allows people to see what would happen in a real-world situation.
“Outside of Gate 1 is vulnerable to tsunamis, which is why we do this exercise, making sure people can evacuate safely,” said Tamanaha. “This is a rare opportunity for people to practice evacuation by walking through Kadena Air Base, but it is useful so we are always ready to prepare for any kind of disaster.”
U.S. Military and civil authorities must be prepared to face any emergency that could occur on Okinawa. The tsunami evacuation exercise is one possible scenario that both nations can train for, execute and evaluate.
With local nationals and U.S. ambassadors working together, the exercise helped make it clear that in the face of a natural disaster, aid is available.
“It really shows the commitment by the men and women of Kadena Air Base that we are prepared to support the safety of our local Okinawan family and friends,” said Oldham.