Hill Air Force Base recently conducted a 10-hour planned power shutdown as part of an energy resilience readiness exercise, aiming to test its ability to stay mission-ready under challenging conditions. This intentional cut of commercial power allowed Hill to assess the performance of its backup generators, along with its energy, water, and communication systems.

“Overall, I think the exercise went very well," said Nick King, the base energy manager. “We didn’t experience any major infrastructure challenges or problems, but we did learn there are some things that could improve in a major power outage.”

According to King, all generators managed by the 75th Civil Engineer Group performed as expected. The exercise also underscored areas needing improvement, such as identifying circuits in buildings that weren’t actually on generator backup, and addressing a few generators outside of CEG maintenance. King noted that these insights allow for proactive solutions before a real emergency.

“The exercise revealed some minor issues in vital infrastructure requirements that once solved will provide improved base resiliency,” Peter Feng, 75th CEG director said. “As far as the Team Hill execution with mission partners, it went really well. Everyone was supportive and understood the relevance and importance of the exercise.”

The ERRE aimed to uncover any backup power gaps between Hill’s infrastructure and mission needs, while identifying ways to strengthen mission readiness. As mandated by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, five ERRE exercises are required each year per military department, with Hill selected for 2024.

Ensuring Hill Air Force Base remains mission-ready during a power outage is crucial for maintaining the uninterrupted flow of essential operations. The recent energy resilience readiness exercise underscored the importance of testing backup systems to ensure they function properly under real-world conditions. Power disruptions can severely impact communication, water supply, and other vital systems, potentially hindering the base’s ability to carry out its mission. By identifying and addressing any weaknesses in its infrastructure, Hill can improve its overall resilience, ensuring that it is prepared to handle any challenge while continuing to support national defense efforts. λ