Nuclear MARE

The fire emergency services flight arrive on-scene during a nuclear major accident response exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 27, 2012. During this exercise a simulated C-17 Globemaster III diverted here for a hydralic malfunction, and upon landing the right main landing gear brake caught fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Nuclear MARE

Emergency officials respond to a simulated nuclear-laden aircraft after an emergency landing on the flightline during a major accident response exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 28, 2012. The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate how on-base emergency reponders react to a major aircraft accident involving nuclear weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Nuclear MARE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Alyse Luchaco and Jarron Webster check Staff Sgt. Adam Usher’s vital signs during a nuclear major accident response exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 27, 2012. It is a requirement for all individuals who come in close proximity to nuclear weapons to have their vitals checked before working with and after an incident to ensure no significant medical changes occurred. Luchaco, 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron technician, hails from Homer, Alaska; Webster, 4th AMDS technician, is a native of Owensboro, Ky., and Usher, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, hails from Philadelphia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Nuclear MARE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Breckle shows Airmen 1st Class Eric Pinckney and Myron Saunders how to check for contamination during a nuclear major accident response exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 27, 2012. During this exercise Pinckney and Saunders checked for contamination after a simulated C-17, carrying a nuclear weapon, performed an emergency landing on base. Breckle, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron plans, opertaions and programs NCO in charge, hails from Wilmington, Ohio; Pinckney, 4th CES emergency management apprentice, is a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and Saunders, 911th Air Refueling Squadron emergency management apprentice, hails from Highpoint, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Nuclear MARE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Usher and Senior Airman Brad Taylor measure gamma rays from a simulated nuclear weapon during a major accident response exercise on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 27, 2012. Due to the amount of gamma rays the weapon could emit measurements are taken from different distances and areas to ensure there has been no contamination. Usher and Taylor are 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technicians. Usher hails from Philadelphia and Taylor is a native of Bartlett, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert/Released)

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Photos: Airmen respond to nuclear exercise

Published Feb. 29, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airmen from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., participated in a nuclear major accident response exercise on base Feb. 27.

During the MARE, a mock C-17 Globemaster III was diverted after calling in an in-flight emergency. Upon landing, the right main landing gear brake caught fire requiring various base organizations to respond. After arriving on scene, first responders noted a simulated nuclear weapon onboard making extra safety precautions necessary.

The purpose of this exercise was to evaluate how on-base emergency responders would handle a major accident, involving nuclear weapons. This annual exercise is required by the Department of Defense.

Nuclear MARE

Nuclear MARE

Nuclear MARE

Nuclear MARE

Nuclear MARE