ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
For the third consecutive year, Andrews will be conducting its Capital Shield Exercise from Oct 27-30 throughout the installation.
The purpose of the CAPSHIELD exercise, which is conducted under the guidance of Joint Task Force Headquarters and Air Force District of Washington, is extremely important.
"CAPSHIELD is an incident response exercise to execute base command and control capabilities," said Master Sgt. Bobby V. Harris, superintendent of Plans and Exercises, 316 Wing. "It evaluates responses to a multi-attack event in the National Capital Region; demonstrates capability to maintain Department of Defense support to civil authorities; ensures all of Andrews demonstrates effective communications and response cohesion between interagency responders while discovering vulnerabilities and counter measures."
The 316th Wing, 779th Medical Group, 744th Communications Squadron, Headquarters AFDW, Bolling Air Force Base, 89th Airlift Wing, 459th Air Refueling Wing, Naval Air Facility Washington, Headquarters Office of Special Investigations, Air National Guard Readiness Center, 113th Wing, Prince George's Fire Department, PG Police Dept., Maryland State Police, and installation tenants will all participate in the exercise.
While there will be no disruption of normal duties base wide, Andrews' residents will notice some changes over the course of the exercise.
"The West Fitness Center, including the outside tennis courts, will be closed on Oct. 28," said Sergeant Harris. "Additionally, chemical response forces may have on gear around the West Fitness Center and some streets may have limited access due to security forces responses. Force Protection Conditions will change throughout the day and exercise officials will be dressed as mock terrorists wearing either red or blue vests."
Exempt areas from taking part in the CAPSHIELD exercise include base housing, child development centers, the Post Office, Commissary, and Base Exchange. Medical patients should not be affected.