Condor Crest: 21st Space Wing conducts numerous exercises

Published Nov. 7, 2018
By Robb Lingley
21st Space Wing

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 21st Space Wing held its annual Condor Crest preparedness exercise at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2018. There were simulated active shooters at Peterson AFB and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, a car ramming the north gate with an artificial explosive device, and a suspicious package at the CMAFS post office.

"The exercise went very well," said Col. Todd Moore, 21st SW commander." Due to the Inspector General office and planning team's detailed planning, the wing was pushed to work through stressful scenarios."

Active shooters started off the first day of the exercise. Building 101 at CMAFS, the Peterson Fitness and Sports Center, and 21st SW headquarters were in play with Moore being one of the victims.

"Multiple attacks were presented the first day to induce a new level of stress," said Moore. " Dealing with one problem can be relatively straightforward but dealing with multiple issues in sequence demands much more. I believe this pushed the wing and provided us new insight on procedures that we can improve upon. "

On the second day of Condor Crest a suspicious mail item was discovered at the CMAFS post office. The 21st SW Medical Group bioenvironmental engineering specialists arrived on scene and determined that a powdery substance was actually powdered sugar.

The final event of the week was a simulated car crashing through the north gate and hitting a barrier on Peterson Rd. 21st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters rescued a woman from the car and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit removed a bomb.

Moore said that during previous exercises he stays in a room with the Crisis Action Team and was unable to go out and observe the various events.

"The Inspector General and I wanted me out of the game," said Moore. "After operating in the CAT for several exercises, where you only have a phone, a binder, and a computer you really lose a sense of what's happening on scene. It was good for me to go out and see the incident commander, the Emergency Operations Center, the first responders, and see how we would manage in triage helping the injured and wounded."

Moore said he got to witness the great work that the Airmen do and now he understands that they’re working hard and moving as fast as they can while taking on complex situations.

Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Simmons, 21st SW command chief, observed his first Condor Crest exercise.

“What I saw during the exercise was exceptionalism in our Airmen,” said Simmons. “I had the opportunity to have my perspective broadened by the different talents in the 21st SW.

You often get stove-piped into the specialties that you grew up in and understanding that but not knowing what's going on around you.;

Simmons also had the opportunity to observe Airmen doing their jobs extremely well.

"I think our Airmen responded admirably to the training that they received,” said Simmons. “I am proud of them. We’re not perfect and we have a lot to learn, but Condor Crest helped us further our mission readiness."

"I want to extend my thanks to everyone who planned and created the exercise," said Moore. "Thanks to your hard work and diligence, the wing is better. To all the members who participated in the exercise, captured lessons learned, and developed new was for us to train, I also want to thank you. I am extremely proud of the work you all have done and for truly demonstrating what it means to be strong and prepared."