Giant-voice messages explained

Published Oct. 16, 2007

Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho -- As in previous exercises this year, the upcoming exercise will involve many different alarms and announcements through the giant-voice system. The following information will help people who work and reside on base identify what the messages mean.

Alarm green means an attack is not probable. During alarm green, troops must resume or maintain normal operations. If following an attack, Airmen must perform contamination prevention, continue recovery and avoid hazards while assuming the directed mission oriented protective posture, or MOPP.

Alarm yellow means an attack is probable. During alarm yellow, troops must continue time-critical and mission-essential tasks while those who do not have necessary tasks take shelter. Airmen must assume directed MOPP.

Alarm blue means an attack is imminent or in progress. Airmen must seek overhead cover immediately and assume MOPP level 4.

Alarm black means post-attack chemical hazards are expected or present. Airmen must take shelter until told otherwise. When directed, teams will asses areas for damages and un-exploded ordinances, or UXO's.

When hearing a bugle call followed by a giant-voice message, a ground attack is in progress. Everyone must take cover immediately until told otherwise.

Other alarms outside of base exercises heard on the giant-voice system include:

A three-to-five-minute, steady tone or siren means a disaster affecting the base is imminent or in progress such as a tornado, flash flood, hazardous material release or wildfires.

A three-to-five-minute, wavering tone or siren means an attack or hostile act is imminent or in progress such as a vehicle bomb or terrorist release of chemical, biological or radioactive material. Personnel must implement security measures as appropriate.

Voice announcements will be used to tell people when immediate disasters, threats or attacks are over.

During these alarms, people must be alert and ensure everyone is warned. Families in base housing should practice plans to take cover or evacuate to ensure all family members know what to do and where to go.

Gunfighter Videos

Giant-voice messages explained

Gunfighter Videos

ACC News

Air Force News