Thirteen members from Nigeria's military and civilian aviation authorities visited Indianapolis June 21-25, 2010 to observe a mass casualty exercise conducted by the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA). The event, which served as the IAA's tri-annual inspection and recertification by the Federal Aviation Administration, provided an opportunity to showcase processes and procedures for a host of crisis response activities, ranging from fire response and command and control, to triage of casualties and site security.

"Aviation safety and security is not just an issue for the U.S., it's global," said Mike Medevesek, director of Airport Operations. "We have Americans flying all over the world and this is a great opportunity to help enhance aviation safety globally."

The event, coordinated by U.S. Air Forces Africa, air component to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is one of more than 100 such theater security cooperation events that will take place between U.S. and African air forces this year, in the U.S., Europe, or in African nations.

As dawn broke on day one of the exercise, local emergency services were busy responding to real-world fires and flooding brought on by an evening of severe mid-west thunderstorms. Despite the chaos, preparations were beginning for the exercise as 125 volunteer "victims" met at the staging area for scenario and safety briefings and many were bandaged and moulaged to simulate various wounds.

While most of the Nigerian visitors observed the preparations and talked with various organizers about the logistics of the event, Dr. Obinna Okoro, a medical doctor with Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency, volunteered for a full hands-on experience as an accident "victim." Moulage artists covered the right side of his face and right forearm with makeup to simulate burns and bleeding before handing him a card with his full patient scenario.

The overall exercise scenario involved an emergency call from a 737 aircraft reporting flames in the cockpit as it approached for landing. All of the action took place in an area spanning about 100 yards, where on one end victims were evacuated from an aircraft by fire and medical responders, and on the other firemen battled an actual blaze in an aircraft mock-up. Observers were able to watch the "show" from a set of bleachers while Lt. Jason Garner of the IAA Fire Department narrated the event.

"Nigeria is building up a national fire academy," said Daniel Gambo, head of the simulation unit for Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency. "We are a young search and rescue country. We want to build our capacity not only to respond in Nigeria, but across Western Africa sub-region. I would like to see us develop this capacity during my lifetime."

In addition to observing the exercise, the Nigerian officials participated in the "hot wash" evaluation following the event, visited Indiana Task Force I search and rescue team which reports to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and toured the airfield and IAA police headquarters.

Speaking for the group at the end of the event, Joloaso Mobolajio, the Federal Fire Service's Assistant Controller General, said, "For the past two days we have had this exercise. We came here to see what you do and how you go about responding, and we have enjoyed every moment of everything we have done. Our hope and wish is that our relationship will not end today."

For the planners at Air Forces Africa, that comment signals a successful beginning of a new relationship between U.S. and Nigerian counterparts.

"Our focus is on building capacity and enhancing bilateral relationships with these types of events," explained Doug Kahn, chief of exercise plans at Air Forces Africa. "Anytime an event ends in new partnerships between our professionals and theirs, it's a big win. This was exactly that type of event."