Air Force Base Conducts "Dirty Bomb" Drill

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota last month conducted a large-scale disaster response drill in which an attacker shot several people and then set off a radiological "dirty bomb," the UAir Force announced yesterday (see GSN, April 2).

The exercise involved base security personnel, along with roughly 50 organizers and assessors from the FBI, emergency management agencies and other entities and a similar number of volunteers.

In the drill, an armed person invaded the base's McAdoo Sports and Fitness Center on March 26, shooting several people and releasing radioactive material through the use of conventional explosives. Security teams hunted the shooter, extricated bystanders and secured the building, after which emergency personnel aided the wounded.

"Simultaneously, the rest of the base went into lockdown and all major control centers were activated," said 5th Bomb Wing antiterrorism officer P.J. Pallotta said. "Even our elementary schools on base practiced lockdown procedures. It was a very plausible scenario."

Mock victims were also treated at the base hospital.

The simulation demonstrated that the base is well prepared for a possible attack, according to 5th Bomb Wing Vice Commander Col. Julian Tolbert.

"The airmen who participated in today's exercise showed focus and a willingness to overcome the many obstacles seen with such a scenario," Tolbert said. "It's unfortunate we must train for days like today, but I feel confident knowing the base has skilled professionals ready to react to any situation" (U.S. Air Force release