More of the culture of fear back home. I’m glad I’m not in residence today — my condolences to Thom and Jeff, who live even closer to the Pentagon than I did.
Pentagon officials are asking the public not to panic today when it conducts a “full-scale real-world” exercise simulating attacks on the Pentagon and buildings in Crystal City in an effort to evaluate emergency preparedness plans.
The Pentagon said the exercise, called “Gallant Fox III,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include noise simulation devices, or flash-bangs. It said the exercise will also include the evacuation of selected individuals from the Pentagon and the Jefferson Plaza I building in Crystal City.
Some participants will play the role of victims, the Department of Defense said in an advisory, and will be treated at the Pentagon Metrobus station. A large number of firetrucks, police cars and rescue units will respond to the simulated attacks, the advisory said.
I was at my office (in Bethesda) during the drills (though I do usually work from home on Wednesdays), so Thom and I will have to ask the cat for a report when we get home tonight.