EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Sept. 20—The 96th Test Wing will participate in a joint aircraft mass casualty accident response exercise Wednesday requiring General Bond Boulevard to close from 8 a.m. to noon.

The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate the wing’s ability to establish and maintain command, control and coordination with multiple agencies on and off base.

The exercise scenario is taking place in partnership with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and will replicate a major airline crash. It will include participation from Eglin’s fire department; Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety, including emergency management and emergency medical services; Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office; 96th Security Forces Squadron; 96th Medical Group; Air Methods; HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital; HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital; and District One Medical Examiner’s Office.

Motorists may see smoke, people with simulated injuries and emergency medical services from Eglin and Okaloosa County responding to the exercise where General Bond Boulevard and Highway 85 connect, along with the Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport’s cargo area.

People at the 96th Medical Group and local hospitals may also see people with simulated injuries being treated by medical staff.

This exercise will also satisfy Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport’s tri-annual review of its emergency action plan.

For more information, contact the 96th Test Wing Public Affairs office at (850) 882-3931.

96th Test Wing Public Affairs news release