Training. From the first day of arriving at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to the time Airmen separate from the Air Force, they train. Airmen enhance their skills from life saving techniques to ensuring aircraft are able to carry out global operation contingencies.
One training experience valuable to every Airman is chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives training, known as CBRNE.
Instructors in the readiness section of the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron here provide the ability to survive and operate in a hazardous environment in a deployed location or at home station.
"We start the students off with a lecture and end with them demonstrating what they've learned," said Senior Airman John Buckley, a CBRNE instructor and responder. "There is so much information to learn that we don't expect each student to know everything, but we're here to help them understand the basics."
One of the basic tasks students have to demonstrate is donning their gear, but wearing it properly only goes so far. Ppeople's attitudes about it also can play a vital role.
"If there is one thing the students should walk away with after going through CBRNE training, it's to trust their equipment, mask and suit," said Senior Airman Cassandra Beard, assistant prime beef manager. "This should give them the confidence to do their job in a contaminated environment."
In conjunction with training others, readiness flight instructors must keep up with their own training as well. Being prepared to encounter any situation is not only smart, it's their job.
"We aren't just CBRNE instructors," said Airman Buckley. "When something occurs, we respond suited up. Then everything seems to roll together which helps mitigate the situation and make it safer."
Experts in their field, readiness personnel ensure the base populous can work and survive in a chemical environment and they are also savvy when it comes to hazardous materials. Not all events they respond to are deliberate. Accidents occur as well.
"We are ready at a moment's notice for the wide range of situations that may come our way," said Airman Beard. "CBRNE can also be a HAZMAT incidence, such as white powders, leaking tractor trailers, suspicious packages and pipeline spills. What doesn't change is the importance of being prepared and capable."
Even what may initially seem to be a HAZMAT accident can end up being a malicious act. The threats are real and the readiness flight knows the importance of what they do, said Airman Buckley.
"The United States armed forces still face significant threats," he said "Without CBRNE training, our forces would not be as effective down range. Our enemy's technology is changing rapidly. It's integral that we ensure our forces attain the best training available to protect themselves from a CBRNE attack."
Christopher Boitz (AFNS)
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