Photo By Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur | Airmen from the 124th Fighter Wing quickly don the MOPP4 chemical warfare gear during...... read more read more
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GOWEN FIELD, Idaho – Alarms sound, “EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE” as hundreds of Airmen from the Idaho Air National Guard listened for instructions during the two day mission readiness exercise Weasel Thunder, during the June unit training assembly. A true test for the 124th Fighter Wing Airmen’s ability to survive and operate (ATSO).
The last mission readiness exercise the 124th FW participated in was nearly seven years ago. Although the analysis is the same, this recent training was a local inspection with a wing inspection team of approximately 50 members grading internally within the organization, following the Air Force Inspection System’s tasking evaluations.
“This exercise is based on design, operation, and capability tasking event training. This is how we are going to train to fight. We are looking at this as how do we get better this time, before the next time we need to evaluate ourselves, and make sure that our Airmen of the 124th Fighter Wing are doing exactly what is needed in case we get called to duty,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Page, wing quality assurance superintendent. “It’s not a pass or fail test, but a question to whether our training, to get us to this point, is effective.”
The giant voice echoed throughout the base, “ALARM BLACK, MOPP4” as Airmen scrambled to quickly don their chemical protective gear, covering themselves from head to toe. Mission-Oriented Protective Posture or MOPP levels were announced as threats were received according to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive attack.
Scenarios were built to coincide with increased MOPP levels, designed to ensure Airmen could perform their primary duties in protective gear. Airmen arranged contamination stations for equipment and personnel, while practicing the dynamics of using them in a polluted environment. Firefighters extracted a pilot and there were simulated ground attacks testing the 124th Security Forces Squadron; all while in full MOPP gear.
During a training event like this, the safety and health of the Airmen were of the top priorities. Safety representatives were present for every squadron to ensure minimal mishaps and that Airmen avoided harmful mistakes.
Many lessons were learned through the elevated MOPP levels on the flight line. Safety hazards were recognized with the personal protection equipment while launching the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.
“When they (Airmen) put on their MOPP gear after hearing the alarm, they start rushing and that is where there is potential to be unsafe,” said Lt. Col. Ron Hedges, 124th FW chief of safety. “This is the first time I have ever seen our base launch aircraft in MOPP4, so we are learning a lot.”
In addition to standing up the CAT, or Crisis Action Team, Wing and Group Commanders had the opportunity to walk around and see their Airmen in action.
"It was amazing to see our Airmen taking charge of this exercise and put themselves through the paces of ATSO," said Col. Tim Donnellan, commander of the 124th Fighter Wing. "I think spirits were high because everyone knows the importance of not just being familiar with their chem gear, but able to actually perform their primary duties while wearing it. Airmen were able to practice tasks they felt needed improved upon in order to be combat mission ready in any environment. Months before this exercise, we worked closely with commanders and chiefs to identify specific objectives to accomplish over the two days, and each of those objectives were met. Before this exercise, about half of our Airmen had not been in chem gear since basic training. Today, I'm proud to say that all of the members of the 124th Fighter Wing have honed their ability to operate in a chemical environment. We'll build on this capability in future exercises, further preparing ourselves for combat in any condition."
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2017 03:00 |
| Story ID: | 237780 |
| Location: | BOISE AIR TERMINAL AIR GUARD STATION, IDAHO, US |
| Web Views: | 760 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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