Polar Force 12-7 exercise

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The first simulated evacuees arrive during a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation exercise at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Arctic Warrior Orientation Center, Oct. 19. The NEO exercise is part of Plar 12-7 which incorporates several scenarios to test the base's ability to integrate, mobilize, and prepare personnel, aircraft and equipment for their wartime mission and to employ forces and weapons systems to perform tasked missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Ty-Rico Lea)

Polar Force 12-7 exercise

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Master Sgt. Adam Dunny, 673d Force Support Squadron, Willow Military and Family Support center superintendent, briefs simulated evacuees during the Non-combatant Evacuation Operation exercise at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Arctic Warrior Orientation Center, Oct. 19. Simulated non-combatants, family members and Department of Defense civilian employees engage in the Polar Force 12-7. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Ty-Rico Lea)

Loading ammo with 3rd Munitions Squadron

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force Col. Dirk Smith, 3rd Wing commander, visits 3rd Munitions Squadron to participate in ammunitions loading Sept. 27. Loading aircraft ammunition is essential to exercise real world operations, maintain fighter readiness and emergency response time. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Ty-Rico Lea)

Loading ammo with 3rd Munitions Squadron

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force Col. Dirk Smith, 3rd Wing commander, uses the Universal Ammunition Loading System's air wrench to download PGU27 practice training rounds Sept. 27. Loading aircraft ammunition is essential to exercise real world operations, maintain fighter readiness and emergency response time. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Ty-Rico Lea)

Loading ammo with 3rd Munitions Squadron

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force Col. Dirk Smith, 3rd Wing commander, loads PGU27 practice training rounds into the Universal Ammunitions Loading System with the assistance of 3rd Munitions Squadron Airmen Sept. 27. Loading aircraft ammunition is essential to exercise real world operations, maintain fighter readiness and emergency response time. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Ty-Rico Lea)

Loading ammo with 3rd Munitions Squadron

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Staff Sgt. Johnathon Martinez, 3rd Munitions Squadron, crew chief, instructs Air Force Col. Dirk Smith, 3rd Wing commander, on the proper loading of PGU27 practice training rounds into the Universal Ammunitions Loading System Sept. 27. Loading aircraft ammunition is essential to exercise real world operations, maintain fighter readiness and emergency response time. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Ty-Rico Lea)