NEO Exercise

Are you intrigued yet?!

And now, dear readers, we must pause the recounting of “Tour Ireland” because your author has just completed her first NEO (as in Non-combatant Evacuation Operation) Exercise ever. Twenty plus years working for the Depart of Defense overseas, and until Thursday of this week, I have never actually participated in one of these drills. Oh, yes, over the years the powers and their bureaucracy, have alluded to, mentioned, and even threatened such an undertaking, but never until now has it ever come to pass for me. Whether my residence on the Korean peninsula in conjunction with its history and political dynamics, or the ramifications for the US military with the spring earthquake/tsunami in Japan, or some combination of the two catalyzed the event, I am not entirely clear.  However, part of this exercise included a lesson in how to put on the gas mask that, apparently, each of us should have in his/her possession--hence, the opening photo.  (Alas, after completing all the required briefings and waiting in sundry lines to have my information input to various databases, I was too weary to wait in another line to take possession of the gas mask then and there--and, perchance, I just lack a healthy level of fear!   Nevertheless, I am informed that I can--with the required paperwork in hand--receive one at any time from a specific location on the garrison where they are stocked.  Because I would really like to post a photo of my very own gas mask on this site, I just may generate enough motivation to actually go collect me one!)

The drill began Thursday afternoon and runs through Sunday evening.  At some point during that time frame, all non-combatants connected to Yongsan Garrison must assemble at a certain gym on base, provide required documents and information, learn/review the regs and procedures, and "practice" how to evacuate.  Thursday evening after dinner at the Navy Club with my colleague Kari, the two of us commenced our NEO Drill participation.  Almost two hours later, we finished--our names on all the correct lists and the requiste knowledge and practice at least visiting the short-term memory zone of the brain.  It was an interesting experience, I shall confess, and definitely illuminating, as well.  May all my departures from Korea be by choice and at my discretion!


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And now, a lesson in how to wear a gas mask...should you ever need to know:

[By the way, this guy is even better looking than the guy who performed the demonstration for us during our gas mask briefing!]

1.Affix hood & filter 2.Clear the straps to the side 3.Pull straps over head 4.Pull straps tight 5. Pull hood drawstring 6. Check filter is tight 7. Cover hole to test seal 8. Breathe normally and escape