by Tech. Sgt. Raymond Mills
JBER Public Affairs
10/23/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Soldiers
of the 59th Signal Battalion conducted chemical, biological,
radiological, nuclear and explosives training Oct. 16 on Joint Base
Elmendorf-Richardson.
According to the Army's 20th CBRNE Command website, "CBRNE operations
detect, identify, assess, render safe, dismantle, transfer and dispose
of unexploded ordnance, improvised devices and other CBRNE hazards," and
is critical skill for all service members.
CBRNE training is a regularly scheduled training event that allows service members to reinforce fundamentals.
"All service members should have a basic knowledge of CBRN agents and
the affect they have on unprotected personnel," said Air Force Master
Sgt. Victor Blizzard, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron noncommissioned
officer in charge of emergency management. "Additionally, members should
have a strong working knowledge of their individual protective
equipment, such as their protective masks, since this might be their
last line of defense."
The 59th Signal Battalion conducted hands-on training during a refresher
exercise, which included passing through a chamber filled with the
compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, commonly known as CS gas.
Training with CS gas provides Soldiers a realistic environment, allowing
them to experience firsthand how CBRNE operations work, while
increasing confidence in their skills and equipment.
"This training is important to maintain vigilance and remain familiar
with equipment for any mission so that we can continue to operate and
thrive in any conditions," said Sgt. Ray Gregory, information technology
specialist with the 59th Signal.
Training is conducted to ensure Soldiers are ready to face any challenge under any conditions.
"CBRNE is a perishable skill and must be practiced on a routine basis to
ensure Soldiers and Airmen are confident and proficient with their
warrior tasks and skills," said Army Staff Sgt. Dwight Harris, 59th Sig.
chemical operations specialist.
According to Blizzard, the Army and Air Force train together upon
initial entry into the career field, but after graduation their
approaches to CBRNE training diverge.
"Air Force members are required to complete the CBRN survival skills
computer-based training course found on the Advanced Distributed
Learning Service every two years," Blizzard said. "Members will also
receive hands-on CBRNE survival skills defense training when tasked to
deploy."
The Army, however, performs its hands-on training before they are tasked.
"We don't do on-the-spot chemical training," Harris said. "We schedule
hands-on chemical training as part of our normal battle rhythm."
Although the Army and Air Force have different approaches to CBRNE
training dictated by their individual missions, both train to standard
in the event of contingency operations.
"CBRNE allows Soldiers to have confidence in their equipment and their
mission," said Spc. David Caldwell, 59th Sig. IT specialist. "Without
confidence, you may hesitate to perform their duties to the fullest of
your ability."
By ensuring service members are adequately trained and prepared, the
Army and Air Force maintain a readiness posture that enables them to
execute a variety of operations in austere environments at a moments
notice.
Throughout history signal battalions have played a vital role on frontlines to ensure battlefield communications success.
"Signal always has been and always needs to be up front," said Shane
Shorty, 59th Signal first sergeant. "This training helps our Soldiers
build trust in the Army, their equipment and their leaders."
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment