The only FPCON is a real-world FPCON

Senior Airman Santos Rodriguez, 28th Communications Squadron client systems technician, checks the identification card of Senior Airman Bradley Barnes, 28th Bomb Wing ground safety technician, prior to allowing him entry to the 28th BW Headquarters building on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Dec. 14, 2011. Whenever a Force Protection Condition changes, regardless of whether it’s during an exercise or not, it is a real world change and all measures must be obeyed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Alystria Maurer/Released)

The only FPCON is a real-world FPCON

Published Jan. 5, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing will be participating in a handful of operational readiness exercises over the next few months, leading up to the operational readiness inspection in April. As a reminder, everyone needs to understand that when a Force Protection Condition changes, it is always the real deal.

"For whatever reason we increase our FPCON, it will always be our primary--or real world--FPCON," said Russell Leatherman, 28th Bomb Wing antiterrorism officer. "For example, if we are in an exercise, and go into FPCON Charlie, we are in real-world Charlie due to an exercise input. Remember, there's no such thing as an exercise FPCON."

The measures taken during the FPCON changes will be passed through the chain of command to those responsible to ensure the right actions are taken. Leatherman added that it's up to everyone to understand the enacted measures are real-world, and to abide by all posted signs and announcements.

Just as it's everyone's responsibility to adhere to FPCON changes, wing leadership is stressing, that it is everyone's responsibility to fully understand that exercises affect everyone at Ellsworth, not just specific offices or areas.

"The entire base is participating," said Lt. Col. William Dobbs, 28th BW chief of plans and programs. "There may be certain tasks or activities occurring in or around an area that affects an office or section more directly, but the entire base participates in every exercise. We fight as a team, play as a team and win as a team."