HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The Inspector General recently concluded a two-week readiness exercise that tested the installation’s ability to respond to a wide range of threats.
The exercise evaluated Team Hanscom’s response to scenarios such as drone incursions, simulated chemical attacks, explosive and kinetic events, water infrastructure challenges, CBRN contamination, and cyber intrusions.
“These scenarios were intentionally disruptive,” said Thomas Ruud, Hanscom AFB inspector general. “The purpose is to push our people, processes, and systems to their limits so we can identify gaps and strengthen our ability to respond to real-world threats.”
Throughout the two-week exercise, officials emphasized the Air Force’s approach to readiness: generate, employ and sustain.
“Our role here is to ensure that Hanscom can generate, employ and sustain capabilities whenever and wherever they are needed,” said Maj. Pierre LaPlume, IG exercise planner. “These exercises give us the opportunity to test every piece of that cycle, so we’re never caught unprepared.”
Role players and evaluators helped simulate realistic environments that forced participants to adapt quickly to emerging challenges.
“Readiness is the foundation of everything we do,” said Col. Jorge Jimenez, installation commander. “Exercises like this ensure we are prepared to defend the nation, protect the installation and support our mission partners.”
While officials acknowledged that training events caused short-term disruptions across the installation, they emphasized the long-term benefits.
“We appreciate the patience and involvement of everyone on the installation,” said Ruud. “The willingness of our community to embrace these exercises is what makes Team Hanscom stronger and more resilient.”
Officials say planning is already underway for future exercises that will continue to introduce complex, realistic scenarios designed to further strengthen the installation’s readiness.