Combat Center takes part in California Great Shakeout
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The installation will conduct a mass notification and earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2026, in conjunction with California’s 2026 Great ShakeOut Drill.
For more than 14 years, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) has participated in the annual Great ShakeOut Drill, helping to promote earthquake safety and preparedness across the installation. Each year millions of people worldwide take part in the exercise at work, school, and home.
The purpose of this drill is to test all mass notification systems, including the base-wide public address system and digital notifications, and gives MCAGCC personnel the opportunity to test their individual earthquake action plans.
“The Great California ShakeOut gives our service members, civilian employees, contractors, and families an opportunity to practice the immediate actions that can save lives during an earthquake,” said Marcelino Ryan, MCAGCC fire chief. “This training is particularly important at the Combat Center because of the constant rotation of forces and personnel through the installation.”
The Twentynine Palms region faces elevated earthquake risk because it lies within the Eastern California Shear Zone and near several fault lines. The 1992 Landers earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.3, caused a nearly 50-mile surface fault rupture through the Mojave Desert.
During the exercise, personnel and families should expect to hear the installation’s speaker system, Big Voice, announce that a base-wide earthquake drill is taking place, followed by instruction to assume the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” position. Participants should remain in this position for approximately one minute. At the conclusion of the drill, Big Voice will announce the exercise has ended. These updates will also be provided through Alert!, the Marine Corps mass-warning notification system.
The exercise is expected to last no longer than 10 minutes, according to the base fire department. While the exercise is only required for base personnel, residents of military housing are encouraged to participate.
Advanced preparation can save lives and reduce unnecessary disruption. Personnel and families are encouraged to have a checklist, make a plan, and become familiar with available resources before an emergency occurs. During the recovery phases of a significant earthquake, the installation may activate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate information, assess community needs, prioritize requests, and direct available resources, Ryan said.
Individuals with a Common Access Card can sign up to receive notifications through Alert! at dod.alert.mil. Those already enrolled should ensure their personal contact information is up to date. Family members may also be added to also receive notifications.
For more information and preparedness resources, visit the Ready Marine Corps website at https://www.ready.marines.mil and Great ShakeOut website at https://www.shakeout.org/.
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