Yokota Airmen, family members participate in evacuation exercise Published Sept. 12, 2023 By Airman 1st Class Samantha White 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen and family members gathered at the Taiyo Community Center for an Emergency Evacuation Program exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 7, 2023. The exercise allowed Airmen from across the base and family members to practice evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Airmen from the 374th Airlift Wing conducted an Emergency Evacuation Program exercise Sept. 7-8 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Participants included 56 families, 9 pets and 79 military personnel who gathered at the Taiyo Community Center to practice evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency. “We’re doing this exercise so people get a better understanding of what the process looks like,” said Master Sgt. Michael Cooper, 374th Force Support Squadron Readiness NCO. “You never know what’s going to happen, it helps to ease some of the hardship and helps to be prepared if anything were to happen.” Airman 1st Class John Larson, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainer, stops at the Traffic Management Office table during an Emergency Evacuation Program (EEP) exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 7, 2023. It is required that each household with Status of Forces Agreement status civilians or dependents maintain an updated EEP packet, to include all single Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Back in 2011, following an earthquake and tsunami that hit northern Japan, many families left Yokota in a hurry. The EEP exercise is meant to give a first-hand look toward what an emergency evacuation would be like. When asked about her experience during the exercise, Michelle Murphy, spouse, said, “It’s really been an eye-opener. It helped me realize I was missing a few of the required documents and now I’m better prepared for the future.” Members of many base support agencies attended the event to help familiarize participants with the evacuation process while testing their own abilities to care for family members during times of separation from their active-duty servicemembers. “We’re taking this opportunity to see what we’re capable of,” said 2nd Lt. Zachary Longworth, 374th Communications Squadron section commander. “If the need calls for it, we want to make sure we are able to get our families out safely, so that our Airmen can focus on the mission at hand.” For more information about the Emergency Evacuation Program, visit https://yokotafss.com/eep/ or contact unit noncombatant evacuation operations wardens.