Weekly CBRN Training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Air Force basic military training introduces the gear and techniques used in case of an attack to save the lives of others and oneself on the home front and abroad. This is not practiced every day, but being prepared is a responsibility everyone shares.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson requires personnel making a permanent change-of-station or going on temporary duty for more than 20 days to a medium- or high-threat area, be up to date in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense awareness and survival skills, according to Air Force Instruction 10-2501.

Every week, two Airmen from the 773d Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management office lead a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear training class for deployable civilians, Airmen and members of the Canadian Forces Detachment on the installation.

The two-phase training involves computer training and a demonstration exercise. This assesses an individual's ability to survive and function in a CBRN environment. Individuals must pass a self-paced online test, before going to the weekly class.

"[The class] gives deployable personnel the confidence and knowledge needed to both protect and operate in a CBRN environment," said Airman 1st Class Anthony Bennett, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management training specialist.

The two-hour class covers Mission Oriented Protective Posture levels and alarm conditions in a hands-on training environment, but before they put on their gear the teachers discuss the levels, alarms, equipment and procedures.

"MOPP [Level] Ready means you can get to your gear within five minutes and is the most commonly forgotten," said Senior Airman Cierra Andrews, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management plans and operations specialist.

Students must bring their Mission Oriented Protective Posture equipment: M50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask, Joint Service Lightweight Suit Technology suit and pants, rubber boots, rubber gloves with cotton inserts, and a canteen with M50 cap.

The class learns how to check their MOPP equipment and what to look for. Holes, chips, moisture build-up, residue, and deterioration can cause a piece of equipment to become unserviceable, so trainers emphasize regular equipment checks.

The teachers also provide tips to keep equipment in better condition.

"If you drink the orange juice from the MREs or any type of juice through the drinking tube, it can leave residue that crystallizes over time," said Airman 1st Class Alexander Barton, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management logistics specialist. "It can clog the tube and restrict you from drinking any other liquid, so just drink water."

Other tips the teachers share include general cleaning of equipment and decontamination. The M295 individual equipment decontamination, also known as wipe-down mitts, kit is used to decontaminate liquid agents on another person or object with a 'tap-tap-swipe' technique, while keeping in mind not to swipe toward oneself or others, according to Barton.

The hands-on training involves going through the alarm conditions, MOPP levels and conducting pre- and post-attack procedures, such as donning the gear and decontamination.

"This training is lifesaving and it is a perishable skill, so it only helps when we continue to practice the way we play," Bennett said.