Photo By Sgt. Brian Johnson | Members of the Chillicothe-based 1194th Engineer Company Search and Extraction Team...... read more read more
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RICKENBACKER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ohio — For members of the Ohio National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP), knowing what to do and then doing their best, can mean the difference between life and death.
A CERFP is a specialized team that provides an immediate response capability to the governor during a catastrophic event. Each CERFP contains four distinct elements — Ohio’s is comprised of the Columbus-based 73rd Troop Command, which provides command and control, the Chillicothe-based 1194th Engineer Company, which conducts search and extraction and the Kettering-based 637th Chemical Company, responsible for decontamination. The final element, medical, is comprised mainly of the 121st Medical Group out of Columbus, plus Airmen from the Springfield-based 178th, Mansfield-based 179th, and Toledo-based 180th Medical Groups.
The 200-plus member Ohio CERFP conducted a training exercise March 12-14 simulating a railroad tank car that derailed in southern Columbus, spilling chemicals and quickly overwhelming local law enforcement and first responders.
Lt. Col. Scott Smith, 155th Chemical Battalion and CERFP commander said the exercise was successful and highlighted the compatibility of the Ohio Army and Air National Guards
“In a situation like this, there were none of the traditional cross-service barriers that are normally present,” Smith said. “Everyone was focused on one mission and trying to accomplish it to the best of their abilities.”
Senior Airman Chris Ice of the 180th is a medic attached to the search and extraction team within the CERFP. He said although his Army teammates were initially somewhat leery, they quickly formed bonds and learned to work well together.
“My team earned their respect to such a degree that they would like us to train with them on a more regular basis, and not just on the exercises like this,” Ice said. “They treated me like one of their own. I have been with the unit through three major missions and the initial training to help stand up the unit. I would follow these guys wherever the mission may go.”
Search and extraction team commander 1st Lt. Travis Ressler praised the capabilities and work ethic of the Air National Guard medics assigned to his team.
“The medics that are part of the search and extraction team are the highest caliber of Soldier that we could ask for. They are not people who just stand around waiting for action. They are willing to get in the hole or rubble piles and do whatever to help accomplish the mission.”
The CERFP hadn’t brought all of its elements together for several months, said Capt. Phillip Buxton, commander of both the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 155th, and the CERFP’s command and control element. The exercise offered the troops a chance to cross-train and learn new skills, aiding in developing unit contingency plans, he said.
“Many Soldiers had never done a mission like this before,” he said. “Some were able to help assist in the medical areas and others in decon. The first day, there was a lot of rust. By the end of the third day, I was extremely satisfied with the results.”
He said both the air and Army troops were extremely flexible and the exercise offered a good opportunity for both to attain a better and broader understanding of the process and each others’ roles.
Smith said the decision to integrate Army and air as joint endeavor has been nothing short of successful and the two services have integrated and work extremely well in tandem.
“Two uniforms, one mission,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 03.13.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2015 22:36 |
| Story ID: | 160924 |
| Location: | RICKENBACKER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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