JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- U.S. Airmen assigned to the 673d Operational Medical Readiness Squadron partnered with the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and civilian contractors to test their radiological response capabilities during exercise Radiant Falcon at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 25 through 30.
Exercise Radiant Falcon, a recurring exercise across the Pacific Air Force, prepared participants to respond to potential radioactive contaminated aircraft. The exercise focused on how to maintain, rearm, and relaunch aircraft, such as the F-22 Raptor, in a contaminated environment to ensure continued mission readiness while maintaining safety for personnel involved.
By training personnel to handle radioactive environments, the unit ensured that aircraft can be returned to service without compromising human safety. Effective training ensures maintainers know how to protect themselves using electronic personal dosimeters and other safety protocols, preventing delays in flight operations.
“Our career field is supposed to be safe when it comes to radiation,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ilaiza Camacho, 673d Operational Medical Readiness Squadron bioenvironmental engineer. “We can train the maintainers and let them know, ‘This is what you should be doing during maintenance on the aircraft.’”
The exercise included a simulated blackout caused by an electromagnetic pulse, removing access to communications and digital systems, which participants noted was the biggest challenge. Members instead had to rely on coordinated on-site accountability to continue the operation.
“How long you do it, how quick you can do it, what protective personal protective equipment you are wearing, all that will change because of this extra hazard the radiation causes,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Waicekauskas, 673d Operational Medical Readiness Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight commander. “One of the key takeaways is that your job is never the same.”
This training helped aircrew build confidence in their ability to continue generating airpower in a contaminated environment while strengthening interoperability between aviation, emergency response and support personnel. Realistic exercises Radiant Falcon enhance JBER’s readiness to protect the homeland and sustain combat operations in complex and contested environments.