Photo By Spc. Marilyn Spencer | Soldiers with the 270th Military Police Company, 185th Military Police Battalion, 49th...... read more read more
CAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - In the middle of a golden field, surrounded by rolling hills and wild animals, stands a small, worn-out wooden building. Its windows are boarded closed just one door is useable. Outside, the air is fresh. But anyone who dares to enter this building usually runs out eyes tearing and mouth gasping for air.
“We didn’t know we’d have to take our masks off,” said Pfc. Lisa Lee with the 185th Military Police Battalion, 49th Military Police Brigade, California Army National Guard, regarding a July 18 gas chamber exercise. “I thought we were just making sure they worked in case we ever had to use them.”
Lee, along with about 20 others with the 185th’s Headquarters-Headquarters Detachment, joined almost 100 soldiers with the 270th Military Police Company for chemical response training at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif. The exercise was part of a non-lethal weapons program initiated by the 185th. The battalion united its subordinate units, about six companies, for a few days of annual training.
The soldiers donned protective masks and alternated filing into the building. Inside, they prove their masks work. Once they remove their face protectors, they exercise, getting a taste of the cyanide-based gas.
After several minutes, effects start to show. Then with skin itching, lungs heaving, noses burning and eyes watering, soldiers exit the building. They’re guided away from the chamber with arms extended to let natural air wear off the gas. Participants regain composure minutes later.
“I almost started to panic toward the end, but the sergeant inside was cool and helped me keep calm,” said 185th HHD member Pvt. Lidit Awoke of Oakland, Calif. “So far the training has been good. It’s important.”
Despite nauseated feelings, no one was seriously injured. All who entered the chamber left the premises intact. Some kept memories by taking videos and photos with personal cameras and cellular phones.
“It’s good times,” said Capt. Sean Kelly, a Roseville, Calif., resident and 270th company commander. “We haven’t had an opportunity to do this in a while. It is important training.”
Kelly said it’s important to get used to that type of environment in case there ever is a chemical attack in California or anywhere that the California Army National Guard could be called upon. This way, as always, Guardsmen will be ready at a moment’s notice.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2011 18:35 |
| Story ID: | 76026 |
| Location: | CAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 487 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Gas! Gas! Gas!: California National Guard MP's get all choked up, by SPC Marilyn Spencer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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