WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD -- U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii participated in Hawaii’s annual hurricane exercise known as Makani Pahili, or strong winds, here, May 23-June 3.
The exercise tested the garrison’s capabilities to respond to and sustain life during a hurricane affecting Army installations in the Hawaiian Islands.
The garrison started planning for the yearly exercise in February, the events of which are executed during the Memorial Day weekend.
This exercise involved all directorates and installation tenant units that have emergency support functions in support of Army installations. It gives all agencies involved the opportunity to test, evaluate and update procedures and to activate memorandums of agreement and memorandums of understanding with partner agencies and the state of Hawaii.
This year’s exercise began with a message sent from Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center on a severe weather warning.
From May 23-27, pre-landfall activities were executed to help prepare the installation to sustain a hurricane.
Then, in the scenario, a Category 4 hurricane " with wind speeds up to 150 mph, massive rain and flooding " struck Oahu, May 28.
USAG-HI’s emergency operations center went into post-landfall activities, with damage assessments and possible loss of life and property, May 29-31. The garrison conducted full-scale installation operations to simulate damages and add realism to the scenario.
Soldiers simulated the wounded, moved equipment and personnel from one installation to another, and tested communications between military and civilian authorities.
Tripler Army Medical Center received Soldiers who were flown in for treatment, as units supported the installation with safe-haven operations. Installation family assistance centers processed Soldiers and volunteers to assist with the discomforts and losses that were also simulated during Makani Pahili.
After the HUREX, 12 subject matter experts evaluated and assessed USAG-HI’s preparations for disasters, technical performance and procedural steps.
Together with the garrison commander, Col. Douglas Mulbury, directorates, supporting staff and tenants gathered valuable after-action analysis that will aid readiness and recovery from potential hurricanes.
Hawaii’s hurricane season began June 1 and continues through November 30.
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