Photo By Staff Sgt. Grace Nichols | Airmen inspect M8 paper during Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and...... read more read more
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From sweltering heat of deserts to frozen tundras filled with ice caps – these could be aspects of any wartime environment. Although every situation has its challenges, Airmen are trained to overcome obstacles with professionalism and efficiency.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives training, CBRNE, is one type of curriculum that ensures Airmen are prepared for any number of scenarios in any environment.
Per Air Force Guidance Memorandum 201-02 for Air Force Instruction 10-2501, effective Aug. 4, 2017, all Airmen are required to complete hands-on CBRNE training every 18 months in addition to the computer based training.
Airmen from the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management flight are meeting this initiative by bringing real-world scenario training to the units at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
The training builds upon the online CBRNE computer-based training and allows students to acquire hands-on experience with what they learned. It teaches students about different attack alarm levels, proper wear of mission oriented protective posture gear, responding during pre and post-attack operations, handling hazardous materials and properly identifying and reporting unexploded ordinances.
“The change to the CBRNE training requirement emphasizes the importance of being ready to deploy,” said Master Sgt. Benjamin Hall, 19th CES Readiness and Emergency Management flight superintendent. “Wearing the protective equipment properly is an important skillset that the hands-on class instills in students.”
Training, held every Wednesday and Friday, ensures readiness and match up with the Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment cycles to keep Airmen mission-ready.
The two-hour class begins with an explanation each phase of the mission-oriented protective posture gear, including how and when it would be used. By the end of the course, participants have knowledge in all aspects of CBRNE to include situational and hands-on training; students must be current in the CBRNE CBT before taking the course.
The students walk away with knowledge of their equipment, cordoning off potentially contaminated areas and using M8 paper to detect chemical hazards. This allows Airmen to be ready at a moment's notice for the wide range of situations that may come their way, potentially giving them the confidence to do their job in a contaminated environment.
"There are many challenges with working in a CBRNE environment," said Lt. Col. Christopher Hand, 41st Airlift Squadron C-130 Stage Manager Officer in Charge. "One is taking care of your people and ensuring they are fit to perform with this gear on in potentially hot environments; staying physically fit is more than just passing your bi-annual fitness test."
Those due for the class must contact their unit scheduler to receive the appropriate gear and reserve a spot in the class. For more information or to sign up for a class, contact your unit training or deployment manager.
“Team Little Rock is required to be ready at a moment's notice to bring tactical airlift and operate with freedom of movement,” Hand said. “Airlift is the lifeline to the warfighter on the ground.”
| Date Taken: | 10.17.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 10.18.2017 14:25 |
| Story ID: | 252017 |
| Location: | LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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