EXERCISE TORNADO FURY

To test RAF Marham’s ability to react to a major accident and to exercise working with civilian agencies, the Station hosted an exercise called ‘TORNADO FURY’ last week. The scenario used was that a Harrier had developed technical problems whilst operating over the Holbeach range and had diverted to RAF Marham. On entering the circuit, the Harrier lost all forms of communication and crashed into a Tornado. The Tornado aircrew ejected and the jet crashed into a Barrack Block killing 10 and injuring 20. The Harrier crashed outside the perimeter fence and the pilot was killed.

On calling the exercise, the station’s fire, medical and police sections immediately deployed to the crash sites. The civilian police, fire and medical teams were informed about the mid-air crash and responded by providing extra resource to help the Station’s hard-pressed personnel.

The Civilian Police commander set up his Silver Headquarters in the Command and Management Centre (CMC) in Operations Wing. Where he controlled the Police Helicopter which was sending coloured ‘live’ film footage to a TV screen in the CMC. The Ambulance Service dispatched 7 vehicles and an Air Ambulance which evacuated the Tornado pilot, who was suffering from back injuries, to hospital. To assist in fighting the fire at the crash sites the Civilian Fire Service deployed 6 appliances.

The exercise lasted over 4 hours and tested the CMC and the civilian agencies in a realistic scenario. There were lessons learnt and the general agreement was that the event achieved the aims. After the hot debrief in the afternoon the RAF Regional Liaison Officer, Wing Commander McCarthy said “I have been the RAFRLO for 8 years and this has been the best major accident exercise I have seen”

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