Sheppard to conduct active shooter exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard Air Force Base will close its gates for several hours on the morning of June 1 as the base conducts a three-day exercise to test its ability to respond to a major active shooter event.

Directed by Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, commander of Air Education and Training Command, the exercise will occur simultaneously at Sheppard, Altus and Vance Air Force Bases. It is designed to test the command's ability to respond to an event similar to the one that occurred last year at Fort Hood.

In addition to the gate closure on June 1, Team Sheppard should expect heavy and slow traffic throughout the exercise. Anyone on base that morning can also expect to be in lockdown for up to three hours.

"I would recommend limiting or rescheduling unnecessary visits to the base," said Lt. Col. Mark Hagen, chief of the 82nd Training Wing Installation Exercise Programs Office. "A few places on base will be closed or will limit appointment scheduling for the exercise."

Anyone with business to conduct on base June 1 is advised to call ahead and ensure there are no changes, and if possible to reschedule.

During the exercise, employees and family members on and around the base can expect to see first responders, including police and fire vehicles, responding to the base. They may also hear sirens or gunshots (blanks).

Anyone who is on base will be expected to follow established procedures for an active shooter event. Below is a recap of what you should do in an active shooter event. Remember - we train as we fight, so all members of Team Sheppard should respond to the exercise in the same way and with the same sense of urgency they would in a real event.

If there is an active shooter in the area, you should:

Evacuate if possible

· Have an escape route and plan in mind.
· Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
· Leave all belongings behind and help others escape, if possible.
· Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be present.

Hide out if you cannot evacuate

· Lock the door and blockade it with heavy furniture.
· Silence all cell phones and turn off any sources of noise in the room, such as a television or radio.
· Hide behind large items and remain calm.
· Hide in a place out of the active shooter's view and provide protection if shots are fired.
· Do not hide in a place that will restrict options for movement.
· Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter's location. If speaking is not an option, then leave the phone line open to allow the dispatcher to listen.

Take action as a last resort

· As a last resort, and only when death is imminent, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the active shooter by throwing items and improvising weapons, yelling or acting as aggressively as possible against him or her. Ensure you commit to your actions.
· Escape if you can. If the shooter is in close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him or her.

When law enforcement arrives

· Remain calm, and follow the police officer's instructions.
· Place any carried items on the ground, raise both hands and spread all fingers.
· Keep hands visible at all times, and avoid making quick movements toward officers, such as attempting to hold on to them for safety.
· Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling.
· Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating. Just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises.

After you have evacuated

· Provide details about the active shooter to law enforcement personnel. Members should provide the following information: location and number of shooters, physical description of shooters, number and type of weapons used and number and location of potential victims.