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15th Wing hosts CBRN Defense exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alan Ricker, Staff Sgt. Jacob Thompson
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Roughly 170 Total Force Integrated Airmen participated in a 3-day chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense evaluation on Sep. 13, 2022, testing their knowledge and operational readiness within a simulated CBRN-contested environment.

The evaluation falls under a Special Interest Item directed by the Air Force to increase commanders’ emphasis, attention, and oversight of the CBRN Defense Program.

“Units were tasked to execute this SII as part of their Readiness Exercise Program to accurately assess proficiency in CBRN defense standards. ,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Raham, 15th Wing inspector general. “This evaluation will provide leaders with a level of confidence with the Department of the Air Force's CBRN defense capabilities, strengths and recommended areas of improvement.”

The assessment was separated into six stations that measured a readiness-exercise participant’s ability to perform CBRN skills taught during their service.

Master Sgt. Daniel Farrell, 647th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management superintendent, added that the evaluation is important because it will bring clarity to Leadership and Airmen on transferable and scalable skill sets that impact future responsibilities and roles.

Stage one consisted of a timed quiz, where Airmen were expected to answer a series of questions that tested basic CBRN operations.

In stage two, Airmen were expected to don the appropriate mission-oriented protective posture gear based on the simulated contamination level affecting the environment. Once the MOPP gear was inspected, Airmen self-decontaminated near a zone transition point to enter a non-contaminated area.

In the third stage, the Airmen were tested on their ability to protect equipment during a CBRN attack, and they were also tested on post-attack reconnaissance during stages four and five.

During the reconnaissance portion, Airmen were tested on their ability to report chemical agents, identify unexploded ordnances and provide self-aid buddy care.

“It addressed self-aid buddy care in a contaminated environment, which consisted of putting a mask on a victim who was incapacitated and utilizing the automated nerve agent auto-injectors to stop the progress of a nerve agent poisoning,” said Farrell.

Stage six tested the Airmen’s ability to perform a MOPP exchange, removing gear safely in a contaminated environment, and the SII ensures the 15th Wing’s readiness.

“Moving forward, the 15th Wing will continue to incorporate CBRN Defense events in future readiness exercises to challenge and prepare our Airmen for future conflicts,” said Raham.