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Lindbergh Field Put To The Test With Bomb Drill

Lindbergh Field Put To The Test With Bomb Drill
San Diego's airport served Wednesday as a stage to test, train and prepare first responders for major emergencies.

It looked like an emergency situation was unfolding on the tarmac at Lindbergh Field around noon Wednesday, but it wasn't.

Instead, the airport served as a stage to test, train and prepare first responders for major emergencies.

A simulated bomb was part of the drill organized by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. As part of the scenario, the "bomb" exploded, damaging a plane people were boarding and a terminal gate.

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"There's a lot of moving parts in a major response to an emergency situation," said Steve Shultz, a spokesman with the airport authority. "This helps them learn how to work better together in the event of a real emergency at the airport."

The Federal Aviation Administration requires major airports to hold emergency exercises every three years.

More than 140 volunteers participated in the drill as well as many law enforcement agencies, fire departments and local hospitals.

Corrected: March 29, 2024 at 7:01 AM PDT
Staff writer Marielena Castellanos contributed to this reported.
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