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Team Andersen stands up NEO

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Team Andersen showcased their ability to evacuate approximately 200 people as part of a noncombatant evacuation operations scenario during operational readiness exercise Beverly Palm 13-01 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam Jan. 13 through 16.

The purpose of NEO training is to test, evaluate and determine the capabilities of receiving and possibly re-evacuating noncombatants to a safe haven or to a designated continental U.S. repatriation site.

"During the exercises, our main goal is to showcase our capability to efficiently provide a smooth transition during the transport and processing of noncombatant evacuees onto their designated repatriation site," said Joseph Catahay, NEO program manager.

Beverly Palm 13-01 allowed reception agencies to practice every part of the evacuation process from the moment evacuees arrived on Guam.

"Like all exercises, we perform to perfect our outlined process, and identify the areas we need to improve on and make the necessary changes to ensure a smooth transition," Mr. Catahay said.

The four primary reasons for initiating a NEO are military conflict, civil unrest or instability, natural disasters and pandemics.

In the case of a NEO, non-mission essential civilians and family members are evacuated to the U.S. or an allied country, should the need arise. U.S. citizen's, employees of non-U.S. government organizations and commercial activities, U.S. citizens employed by or assigned to international organizations, tourists and residents are eligible as well.

The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 was the last real-world NEO, but Team Andersen continuously trains to answer the call of duty when called upon.

"The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, Japan, which triggered a tsunami, raised the possibility of us receiving noncombatant evacuees," Mr. Catahay said. "But though we were not directed to stand-up a NEO, we were readily prepared and positioned to stand one up if we were ordered to."