Oregon Soldiers Participate in Aviation Accident Exercise‏

In the scenario, the planes collided while on approach for landing. During the two hour exercise, the first responders faced numerous simulated fatalities and victims with different injuries.

Army Sgt. Robert Boyce is transported via a gurney from a medical emergency exercise as part of a first-responder training at Salem Regional Airport. Photo courtesy: Oregon National Guard Public Affairs

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon National Guard soldiers participated in a large-scale aviation accident exercise with the Salem Fire Department Friday at the Salem Regional Airport.

Major Mike Braibish with the Oregon Guard says a total of eleven agencies participated in the exercise. Sixty local students from McKay and North Salem High Schools, as well as Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard's A Company, 641 Aviation unit played injured victims.

"The Guard's role was to assist emergency response agencies in their effort to enhance readiness, response and recovery of a crisis situation," said Major Mark Ulvin. "We are here to provide support for their training needs."

He says the scenario included two aircraft, a Beachcraft 180 with four passengers and a National Guard C-23 Sherpa with 50 passengers.

In the scenario, the planes collided while on approach for landing. During the two hour exercise, the first responders faced numerous simulated fatalities and victims with injuries, hazmat concerns, fires and simulated theft and traffic issues.

Organizers say exercises such as this ensure that the Oregon National Guard is prepared to assist civil authorities for incidents related to man-made or natural disasters in Oregon.