March 9, 2016 1.04 pm This story is over 96 months old

Lincolnshire RAF personel simulate Typhoon crash

Emergency simulation: Ever wondered what would happen if an aircraft crashed at one of the county’s RAF bases? Personnel and partner agencies took part in a unique simulation in Lincolnshire.
Photo: SAC Megan Woodhouse

Emergency partner agencies across Lincolnshire were scrambled to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire as part of an exercise simulating their response in the event of a major crash on the base.

The Major Incident training exercise ‘Southern Approach’ tested the station response to a Typhoon aircraft crash and major fuel spillage with all emergency personnel involved.

RAF firefighters worked alongside their civilian counterparts from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

The simulation on March 4 included a real fire in the station’s training area to add the pressure of smoke-filled buildings and a range of emergency situations.

RAF Coningsby Station Fire Officer, Flight Sergeant Dave Price said: “The opportunity to have this size and complexity of exercise provides us all with an appreciation of how each service operates; this exercise was initially a military attendance with the Local Emergency Services response following shortly after the initiation of the crash alarm.

“The interoperability of those involved was clearly a priority to ensure the saving of life was paramount, this was confirmed by the manner which the communication between the military and civilian services was so effective at the time of operations.

“An enormous amount of enthusiasm was put in by all involved with a huge amount of understanding being generated in the manner which each operates at a scene of this style.”

Squadron Leader Adam Booth, one of the Exercise Commanders, added: “This exercise was to test our emergency plan to destruction. It meant we could find any holes and learn from it to make it stronger for the future.”