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Whiteman Airmen suit up for CBRN challenge

  • Published
  • By By Airman 1st Class Torey Griffith
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 509th Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering and 509th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management flights participated in a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear challenge, here, March 15, 2010 through March 18, 2010.

Air Force Global Strike Command sent a team of contractors to test and evaluate Whiteman's CBRN detection and identification capabilities.

The contractors set up several different scenarios, simulating both deployed and in garrison situations, to evaluate the readiness of Team Whiteman.

"The probability of these incidents occurring overseas is more likely, but the chances of it occurring stateside still exists," said Tech. Sgt. Tina Carroll, 509th Medical Operations Squadron. "Due to our unique national strategic capabilities at Whiteman, we must be prepared for anything at a moment's notice."

That preparation came through the training every Airman receives throughout their careers, from hands-on activities in basic training, to computer-based training modules completed annually.

"The participants had to regurgitate knowledge from tech school, CDCs, and exercises in order to identify chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards," Sergeant Carroll said.

In one scenario, radiological equipment was stolen from the dental lab, inserted into a can, and detonated. The fire department and explosive ordinance disposal teams responded to the scene, and EOD found and reported radiation in the vicinity.

"From there, Bioenvironmental and Emergency management cordoned the radiation source, and began the eight-legged crawl," said 1st Lt. Kenneth Kirk, environmental health element chief. "The technicians worked a full-circle around the radiation source, in eight, 45-degree increments, searching for traces of radiation on the ground. Based on those ground results and the results of air monitoring, they moved the cordon to isolate the radiation."

Unlike many simulations that take place during exercises, players had to fully suit-up and perform their jobs under the scrutiny of the Air Force Global Strike Command evaluators.

"We didn't just come in and do a presumptive identification," said Staff Sgt. Brandi Baker, 509th CES. "We made the ID, sampled the items, practiced taking them to lab and went through the entire process, just like a real-life event."

While no official score was kept, the bases who achieved the objectives of the exercise most effectively, will go on to compete in a major command-level CBRN challenge.