IWAKUNI, Japan - Station residents participated in a noncombatant evacuation processing center exercise in IronWorks Gym at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 11, 2015.

This exercise practices evacuating endangered personnel in a host-foreign nation to a safe location. Evacuees include noncombatants, nonessential military personnel, select host-nation citizens and third country nationals.

“This showed me what I need to know just in case a NEO event was to happen,” said Morgan Voigt, family readiness officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “We live in an earthquake prevalent region. We don’t know what will come up, and it’s good to be reminded and prepared.”

An evacuation can take place for a variety of reasons such as natural disasters, industrial accidents and military threats.

“We do these exercises to get everyone prepared,” said Chief Warrant Officer Fabian Marin, Installation Personnel Administration Center director at H&HS. “Participation in these exercises is beneficial to the air station in case of a NEO event.”

Noncombatants must process through a variety of departments including IPAC, Veterinary Treatment Facility, Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic, Station Judge Advocate, Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, American Red Cross, Department of Defense Education Activities, Facilities, Provost Marshals Office, Distribution Management Office and the Adjutant.

Practicing these exercises provides the opportunity for a smooth operation in case of a real NEO evacuation.

For more information please go to the station website or contact your unit FRO.