Naval Station Rota, various tenant commands, and the Spanish Navy worked together to execute a rapid response to a simulated fuel spill as part of an annual Spanish-American training exercise known as Slick Response, Sept. 22.

Sailors and local Spanish nationals from Public Works, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, Fire and Emergency Services, and Port Operations participated in the drill by Rota's forward-deployed naval force pier and the Rio Salado bridge.

"We are doing a spill response exercise for the base in case there is an open water spill at the fuel farm," said Equipment Operator 1st Class Chad Kissinger, assigned to NMCB 11. "The goal is to stop the spill from getting into bigger waters, possibly affecting wildlife, drinking water and the population."

The training scenario involved a simulated diesel fuel spill due to a ruptured fuel valve. For the sake of the exercise, 400 gallons of fuel spilled into the harbor and surrounding areas.

The response teams utilized oil booms during their recovery strategies as per their many weeks of planning prior to the drill.

"An oil containment boom allows the water to pass underneath it but anything floating on the surface is caught by it," said Gregory Hempen, Public Works safety manager. "I think the result will prove that we have an effective system in a spill management program to minimize any contamination from any type of fuel or petroleum spill in the harbor."

Sailors, the Spanish Navy, and local nationals throughout the installation worked together on the harbor with oil booms to contain the oil, while others exercised a scenario by the bridge to prevent it going upriver.

"It could be 10 minutes, an hour, two hours, but if it were to get out of control, we're stopping it from getting into mainland," said Kissinger.

He added that overall mission success involves "having the right crew and a team that works together, such as the great team of NMCB 11."

The drill is evaluated at the end for what had gone correctly and what areas are in need of improvement. Another drill will be conducted next year to ensure team readiness for similar situations.

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia.

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