In this realistic exercise, the C-17 was carrying 100 passengers. As it accelerated down the runway, the crew had to perform an RTO due to a technical issue. After applying the brakes, the aircraft came to a stop approximately 500 meters before the end of the runway. Upon halting, the crew informed the tower with a critical report: “Left Main Landing Gear (MLG) Brake Temperatures High.” Forty passengers sustained simulated minor to serious injuries, adding to the complexity of the emergency response. The scenario tested the coordinated efforts of military and civilian emergency responders, as well as the procedures and preparedness of all personnel involved.

Upon receiving the emergency alert, fire and ambulance services were dispatched immediately. Military firefighters extinguished the fire and initiated cooling procedures on the overheated brakes, allowing non-injured passengers to disembark safely while paramedics began triage procedures for the injured. Civilian emergency services arrived shortly after, joining their military counterparts in coordinated efforts to control the scene, manage casualties, and stabilize the situation.

In addition to field responders, command boards were activated to oversee and coordinate broader actions. Notifications went out to necessary personnel to ensure effective communication and swift decision-making throughout the exercise.

The exercise aimed to achieve several key objectives: smoothly transitioning from normal to emergency operations, ensuring strong coordination among all responders, and providing prompt, realistic treatment for injured individuals. Teams were also focused on starting a safety investigation right after securing the scene and providing necessary support to families affected. Effective media management was a priority to ensure clear and accurate information flow, along with safely recovering the aircraft.

Overall, these goals reflect SAC’s commitment to verifying that all procedures for handling a C-17 emergency are effective, reliable, and align with the standards.

Following the active phase of the exercise, evaluators reviewed the actions taken by all teams onsite. Their initial assessment was positive, highlighting effective coordination and execution. However, the work does not end here. Decision-makers will gather to conduct a thorough debrief, discussing each aspect of the exercise in detail. This continuous evaluation and development process aims to refine procedures, improve response times, and ensure that each team member is fully prepared to handle real emergencies.

In conclusion, this joint Emergency Response Exercise at the 47th Airbase Pápa successfully demonstrated the readiness and cooperation of military and civilian emergency response teams. By training for worst-case scenarios, we strengthen our capacity to minimize potential losses and protect lives. This exercise not only provided a realistic assessment of our current procedures but also reinforced our commitment to constant improvement, ensuring that SAC remains prepared to respond effectively to any emergency involving a C-17 aircraft.