Shaw Airmen train for real-world scenarios

by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Bass
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/18/2014 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airmen from the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron and 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron spent five days practicing emergency management procedures here, Dec. 7-12.

The integrated base emergency response capability training consisted of Airmen being placed into a series of simulated radiological, biological, and chemical attack conditions and had them test for exposure to hazardous materials in order to ensure the safety of the base.

The exercise provided combined training for both squadrons to work together, said Chris Hosman, Alliance Solutions Group, senior emergency management specialist.

For the Airmen in the scenarios, this created a chance for them to develop better practices in their combined efforts.

The emergency management flight assigned to 20th CES shares responsibilities with the bioenvironmental flight assigned to the 20th AMDS, said Senior Airman Jordan Gagne, 20th AMDS bioenvironmental engineering journeyman.

These responsibilities include assessing the damage caused by the simulated attacks on the base by using detecting equipment to determine the hazardous compound levels.

Gagne went on to say that the equipment both units used complement each other, allowing the combined teams to work well together.

The Airmen were equipped with personal protective equipment consisting of hazardous material suits, respirators, gloves, and oxygen tanks, in order to protect them from simulated contaminates. They also traveled in a single-file line in order to prevent exposure to hot spots.

The simulated attacks gave the Airmen a chance to break out equipment used to test for indications of hazardous compounds, such as the Sam 940 radioactive isotope identification device, the Victorine 451P chamber radiation survey meter, and the RADeCO high volume air sampler.

Tasked in sets of entry teams outside the simulated hot zone, located at the 20th CES training ground, the Airmen used their equipment to assess the situation and provide feedback for the incident commander, said Hosman.

With the recent guidance from headquarters Air Force regarding an increase in threats to base and personnel security, safety of the base and the Airmen is paramount to accomplishing the mission of the 20th Fighter Wing: To provide combat ready airpower and Airmen to meet any challenge, anytime, anywhere.