BEEs, CEs get As in first integrated exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Matkin
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Servicemembers from the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Bio-environmental Engineering flight and the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management flight teamed up to test their response to a simulated hazardous material incident here, Aug. 13.

This was the first attempt by the BEEs and CEX on this rotation to integrate responses to a bioenvironmental hazard in full HAZMAT protective gear, said Master Sgt. Michael Henderlong, 379 ECES readiness and emergency management flight chief, who is deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

To plan for this exercise, the flight chiefs from both agencies started a dialog shortly after arrival in Southwest Asia. Both flight chiefs agreed there was a need for a no-notice drill to gauge the two agencies' ability to respond together as a team to a hazardous material emergency.

The purpose of this drill was to bring two independent groups together to gain familiarity and learn how to interact as a team, said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Borth, 379 EMDG BEE NCO in-charge, who is deployed from Lackland AFB, Texas. It was also a great opportunity to determine shortfalls regarding procedures and equipment.

To facilitate the drill, warehouse workers arrived at the medical clinic at 4 a.m. complaining of simulated symptoms consistent with a HAZMAT incident. The factory workers briefly described the scene to the members of the medical clinic, but purposefully provided vague information so that the teams would have to use all of their skills to locate and contain the contaminated area. Shortly after, a recall was initiated.

Upon arrival to the HAZMAT site, the group was split into three teams comprised of three members each, two CEX and one BEE. The first team was tasked to investigate and obtain information on the contamination site; the second team was responsible for identifying the hazardous material; and the third team was responsible for collecting a sample of the material for further analysis.

The primary objective of the exercise was to determine the differences or similarities in the way each organization approached the situation. This is important to ensure both agencies are working toward the same goals, Sergeant Borth, a native of San Antonio, said.

The exercise uncovered some ideo-logical differences between the groups when approaching a HAZMAT situation. It was also discovered that each team had gaps that the other agency could fill, Sergeant Henderlong, a native of Denver, said.

"We experienced challenges with understanding each other's organizational objectives, but we will continue to work closely to ensure we know and understand each other's perspective and mission requirements. Each team brings incredibly talented personnel to the table, but because we are tasked with different objectives, it is important to come together and work in sync," Sergeant Henderlong said.

"A hotwash following the exercise identified several instances in which the organizations took different approaches to the response. We discussed these procedural differences and identified solutions. These solutions included having joint tactics, techniques and procedures which will be codified in a joint response 'playbook' to ensure continued continuity between our organizations and future rotations," Sergeant Henderlong said.

He said that before the next exercise they will coordinate more efficiently ensuring the exercise runs smoothly and make sure participating members have clear guidance on the integrated response, which will ensure that procedural differences are minimized.

Despite the differences between their organizations, the overall teamwork and enthusiasm during the exercise was exceptional, Sergeant Borth said.

"Everyone agreed it was important that we continue training jointly so that we can provide the absolute best response to a HAZMAT emergency," Sergeant Henderlong said. "I thought there would be more interagency rivalry, but everyone worked together and made excellent suggestions on how to run this exercise better in the future."

"It is important to have these exercises so that BEE and CEX understand each other's requirements and capabilities, which will allow us to provide the necessary response during a real world contingency. The more we train and integrate our capabilities, the quicker we can establish the standards which will enhance the overall mission effectiveness," Sergeant Henderlong said.