Contingency Operations ready for challenges

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  This is the first in a series of articles on the behind-the-scene operations in planning an air show.

A critical process in planning an open house and air show is to be prepared for the "what ifs." That's where Contingency Operations comes in. 

Maj. Kyle Torster, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron Operations Flight Commander, heads up a team that hopes for the best but is prepared for the worst. 

"If something goes wrong, what would we do?" asked Major Torster. "It's our responsibility to plan for the unknown and be ready to answer that question." 

There is a basic level of emergency services in place to handle the usual mishaps that happen when thousands of people come together, like sunburns, skinned knees and twisted ankles. The Contingency Operations committee goes a step further. 

"There's an inherent danger when you invite 100,000 people to your front lawn for a party," Major Torster said. "There is a potential ability to overwhelm the limited emergency response capability; therefore we're looking at the above and beyond." 

Some of the obvious dangers are aircraft mishaps and security in a post-9/11 environment. 

"There's a higher degree of risk associated with a large number of aircraft doing maneuvers that are not done on a daily basis here," the major said. 

Units like emergency services, fire, security forces and medical, already have plans in place to deal with potential crises; the committee ensures those plans are up to date and ready to implement. 

"The squadrons are on line and know what they need to do to work any situation," Major Torster said. "I'm like the conductor; essentially ensuring that we're all on the same page and I know what the appropriate response will be. 

To meet that goal, a series of exercises are planned prior to the air show to work major accident responses and reaffirm with local community agencies an awareness and availability to support through existing memorandums of agreements. 

"We have plans in place to protect the people and a way to address the most likely scenarios," Major Torster said. "We have good people in place who are our experts, and I rely on them to tell me their capabilities." 

The committee meets weekly to fine-tune their plan and repair any disconnects before April. Their planning began right after the holidays and is on track to be an integral part of the air show team. 

"If nothing were to happen, we'll be invisible in the background, but we're the safety net if something happens," the major said. "At that point, we will move people in a safe manner, egress them out and contain the situation to the best degree we can." 

Major Torster's fondest wish is that the air show is a huge success and is enjoyed by everyone in attendance. But, if needed, he and his team are prepared. 

"We're like the Calvary; we don't know what's up there over the next hill, but hopefully it's something we've dealt with before and our training will kick in to take control."