JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 673d Civil Engineer Group conducted a monthly Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force training day Feb. 8, 2018 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The training started with the donning of Mission-Oriented Protective Posture level 4 gear, followed by various mission-essential training.
Once the timed MOPP drill and evaluation was complete, the squadrons dispersed to various CE facilities across the base to sharpen the engineer’s war-time skills.
“The ultimate goal for our training days is to have our Airmen ready for the fight at all times, with the ability to do their job well in any environment,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jeffrey Mellgren, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness Flight commander. “After careful consideration of the training we are mandated, we know the significance of donning MOPP gear quickly and efficiently, is vital to survival. Being able to do our jobs while suited up is also an absolute essential part in keeping the mission going.”
To get from a MOPP level “ready” position to donning MOPP level 4 gear should take less than eight minutes. During this timed exercise, the 773d CES Emergency Management team evaluated the 673d CEG to correct possible mistakes and provide guidance to those who had difficulty.
“It is okay for people to make mistakes in a training environment,” said Tech. Sgt. Casey Garwood, the 773d CES non-commissioned officer in charge of emergency management plans. “We would rather Airman have issues during these evaluations than have them in a real-world situation exposed and feeling unprepared. This also allows us the chance to provide immediate feedback, and Airmen to have an opportunity to grow from the experience.”
Although the MOPP evaluation was the start of the Prime BEEF training day, additional training consisted of other aspects of survival and the Airmen’s ability to perform their mission at all times.
“Chemical biological radiological and nuclear defense survival skills training, self-aid and buddy care, and familiarization with operations of the unit control center were just a few other trainings covered,” Mellgren said. “The damage assessment repair team also worked on standard trainings associated with damage control and isolating an event.”
Monthly Prime BEEF training days tend to be specific, where the annual training is a culmination of all trainings. However, they are both essential to keeping Airmen ready at all times, Mellgren said.
The 673d CEG plans to continue Prime BEEF training days to ensure Airmen are adequately trained and prepared, to maintain a readiness posture enabling them to execute a variety of operations in austere environments at a moment’s notice.