NJ Wing Supports Large-Scale Emergency Response Exercise at Trenton-Mercer Airport
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE–DIX–LAKEHURST, N.J. (May 26, 2026) — Members of the Civil Air Patrol New Jersey Wing recently participated in a large-scale emergency response exercise at Trenton-Mercer Airport designed to test the region’s preparedness for a simulated commercial aircraft accident.
The full-scale exercise, conducted in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements for airports operating under FAA Part 139 regulations, simulated a fully loaded commercial aircraft overshooting a runway with numerous injuries reported. Emergency medical services, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency management organizations from throughout the surrounding region participated in the coordinated response effort.
“This exercise provided an outstanding opportunity for our members to support our community while gaining valuable insight into how emergency agencies coordinate during a major incident,” said Col. Amy Myzie, commander of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. “Our cadets and senior members experienced firsthand the professionalism and teamwork required during a complex emergency response, and we are proud to contribute to the preparedness of our local and state partners.”
Civil Air Patrol cadets and senior members served as volunteer victims during the exercise, receiving realistic moulage makeup treatments that simulated a variety of serious injuries. The volunteers provided first responders with the opportunity to train in a high-stress, realistic environment while also giving CAP members a firsthand look at large-scale emergency operations.
The exercise also incorporated Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) training conducted by the Ewing Township Fire Department in collaboration with the Trenton-Mercer Airport Fire Department. Firefighters trained on critical ARFF operations including aircraft fire suppression, fuel fire response, rescue tactics, turret operations, and coordinated incident management using the airport’s live-fire training environment and aircraft prop.
“This type of hands-on training is invaluable for both first responders and our Civil Air Patrol members,” said Maj. Rob McClellan, commander of Civil Air Patrol Group 223. “By serving as role players and simulated victims, our volunteers helped create the realistic conditions emergency personnel need to sharpen their skills and improve their readiness for a real-world event.”
The Trenton-Mercer Airport Emergency Plan involves coordination among numerous federal, state, county, and local agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Jersey Division of Aeronautics, Mercer County Office of Emergency Management, and county emergency communications agencies.
New Jersey Wing senior members and cadets from the following units participated in the exercise: Group 223; Allentown Composite Squadron; Bayshore Composite Squadron; Capt. Bud Jackson Composite Squadron; Curtiss-Wright Composite Squadron; Gen. Jimmy Stewart Composite Squadron; Gloucester County Composite Squadron; Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr. Composite Squadron; Lone Eagle Composite Squadron; Raritan Valley Composite Squadron; Teterboro Composite Squadron; Thor Solberg Sr. Composite Squadron; Twin Pine Composite Squadron; and Riverside Cadet Squadron.
Officials said the results and information gathered during the exercise will help evaluate and improve airport emergency response procedures and strengthen interagency coordination capabilities.
About Civil Air Patrol
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
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For More Information:
Lt. Col. Bill Petzinger, CAP
1+ 609-306-0966
Email: public.affairs@njwg.cap.gov
