188th Airmen rehearse disaster response skills, ability to survive, operate

by Staff Sgt. Hannah Landeros
188th Wing Public Affairs

11/16/2014 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Nearly 400 Airmen from the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base here participated in an ability to survive and operate field training exercise Nov. 2.

The field training exercise simulated a deployment to Southwest Asia and was conducted to evaluate and improve Airmen's capabilities and skills in various adverse situations during a wartime scenario.

Every Airman at basic training, home station and in deployed locations learns that personal protective equipment is a vital key to mission readiness. Knowing the proper wear and usage of PPE helps keep personnel safe and saves lives.

"The number one reason ATSO training is important is because it can save your life," said Chief Master Sgt. Ron Redding, 188th Wing installation emergency manager and wing inspection team member. "We need to know how to properly wear and operate in our mission oriented protective posture gear."

Personal protective equipment needed for a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive attack is called MOPP gear, which requires protective suits, boots, a gas mask and gloves.

Challenges Airmen from the 188th faced while in MOPP gear consisted of in-direct fire, mortar, rocket and missile attacks, unexploded ordinance, runway damage, multiple casualties, insurgents trying to gain access to assets and a fuel spill as well as chemical, radiological, biological and nuclear attacks.

"During some of these attacks it's important that our equipment is on correctly, fits properly and we have a wingman conduct a buddy check to guarantee you're protected," said Mike Walker, 188th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent.

Another challenge Airmen faced was working in unfamiliar situations with challenging equipment.

"Getting acquainted with our new masks and putting on the suits is something most members haven't done recently," Walker said. "We have to ensure that we knew the different levels of MOPP gear, have M-9 [chemical detection paper] tape in the appropriate places and we still had to continue regular duties."

Redding said these exercises are meant to identify areas for improvement as well as to highlight strengths. Redding said one of those areas he targeted for improvement is to better equip alternates for the various key positions within the scenario in case their primary members are incapacitated. Redding said it's paramount that the alternates know their roles and how to operate and fill positions in an emergency when needed.

"We noticed participants weren't familiar with certain roles and people were learning their shortfalls," Redding said. "That's why we do exercises like this. We need to see where we are weak so we can fix those areas."

The difficulties the field training exercise generate are intended to create obstacles that are possible in a real world deployment. Redding said the 188th Wing will now focus on remedying those weaknesses and will work to better its proficiencies and emergency protocol.

"It doesn't matter if it's in a chemical environment, winter weather or natural disaster, every Airman needs to know that there is protocol and know how to use it to protect themselves," Redding said. "As supervisors we need to ensure that all our subordinates are properly trained and know how to operate in adverse conditions so that we are able to successfully complete the mission."