Photo By Cpl. Claudio Martinez | Sgt. Cristhian Santana, Marine Aircraft Group 12 Section 1 personnel chief, adjusts...... read more read more
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IWAKUNI, Japan - The Marine Aircraft Group 12 command received intelligence about an enemy state launching several missiles toward the air station that presented a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threat to station residents.
In response to the danger, the command gave orders for mission-oriented protective posture gear and gas masks to be issued to its Marines and sailors. The command also issued orders for the service members to continue their daily missions while having their gear on standby, ready for use.
This was the scenario MAG-12 Headquarters personnel faced here in their regular workspaces during their semi-annual MOPP familiarization training June 28.
The training was designed to familiarize service members with the benefits and limitations of protective gear in a CBRN environment.
“The Marines are meant to understand and learn that while MOPP gear is uncomfortable, they can still accomplish their mission,” said Gunnery Sgt. James L. Walters, MAG- 12 CBRN chief. “If you’re a Section 6 Marine, you can still work on somebody’s computer for them wearing MOPP gear. If you’re in administration, you have to adjust and figure out how to still type orders while you’re in MOPP gear. Doing this training ensures that we can still function, and we won’t be sidelined in the event of an enemy attack.”
The MAG-12 service members conducted the training throughout the entire work day and progressed in MOPP levels as intelligence reports on simulated CBRN attacks were disseminated throughout the work sections. As the MOPP levels increased, the Marines and sailors became more familiar with the limitations each level presented.
“A lot of people see this training as a pain to do,” said Walters. “[The gear] is very restrictive and the training lowers morale somewhat, but doing a little bit of training now, will save a lot of lives in the future.”
The service members went though all MOPP levels. Level zero requires service members to have their gas mask and carrier attached at the hip with their gloves, boots and protective over garments within reach.
At level one, the over garments are worn with the gas mask and carrier attached at the hip. Boots and gloves are within reach. In level two, the garments and boots are worn; the gas mask is carried at the hip and the gloves are within reach. Level three requires service members to don their boots, garments and mask with their gloves at the ready. At level four, all protective gear is worn.
Several of the Marines and sailors found MOPP level four the most cumbersome.
“Being that we are in the administration side of the house, the main challenge was actually typing and talking on the phone while in MOPP level four,” said Staff Sgt. Mike Rodriguez, MAG-12 fiscal chief. “Its good training, but it’s hard to accomplish certain tasks when you’ve got gloves on and your sight is minimized along with your hearing.”
Many of the service members found typing while wearing gloves difficult. They were forced to adapt to the situation and use pens and pencils to type.
Others found it difficult to deal with the rise in temperature but were still able to complete their tasks. Some Marines thought about what it would be like in an actual CBRN environment.
“Being Marines, I think we can accomplish the mission no matter what, but it would be a bit more challenging in MOPP gear,” said Rodriguez. “After doing this training, I think we’ll be okay, and we’ll be able to do what we needed to do.”
Although uncomfortable during the training, even the most junior Marines realized how important the training was.
“Just doing basic tasks was hard,” said Pvt. Kouassi Kuffi, a MAG-12 legal clerk. “I didn’t even feel like getting up. It was really hot and draining.”
Kuffi said even though he doesn’t like doing the training, he thinks it’s important to do it at least annually in order to know how to operate in a CBRN environment.
All training conducted during the MOPP exercise was done in accordance with Marine Corps Order 3400.3F, which lists the standards and requirements Marines and units need to meet in order to continue their missions in a CBRN environment.
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2011 02:50 |
| Story ID: | 73268 |
| Location: | IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP |
| Web Views: | 168 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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