Suiting up for unsuitable environments

  • Published
  • By Amn Michaela R. Slanchik
  • 22d Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kansas --  
With the operations tempo at McConnell and the U.S. Air Force at an all-time high, it is now more important than ever to be ready in a moment’s notice.

Airmen are required to be current in their Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Survival Skills Training before they are deployable to any medium or high chemical-threat areas and most other deployment locations. On Aug. 4, the basic deployment readiness standards of the Air Force changed, effecting the frequency this training is required.

“It is no longer ‘just-in-time’ training,” said 1st Lt. Haley Renner, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency management flight commander. “Now, all personnel are required to take CBRN SST every 18 months.”

This one-and-a-half hour-long training teaches Airmen how to protect themselves and their wingmen in case of exposure to a chemical attack that breaks the toxicity threshold and other threats.

Now, no Airman will be sent overseas without being fully-trained on CBRN protection.

Prior to class, Airmen will take computer-based training before heading to the 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron’s individual protective equipment shop to get issued a gas mask with a seamless fit and pick up a chemical protective suit with gloves and boots from their unit’s deployment or training manager.

“The hands-on portion familiarizes trainees with the suit, teaches one how to inspect it for serviceability and how to properly wear the suit,” said Renner. “It also teaches how to identify if one has been contaminated, how to decontaminate oneself and how to protect assets if there is a CBRN threat.”

Just like before the changes, unit schedulers are asked to prioritize the personnel they sign up for classes, meaning deployers have priority. However, the 22nd CES R&EM shop is holding additional classes each week in order to keep up with the new demand. Currently, CBRN SST is offered every Tuesday at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Building 642.

“In today’s environment where our enemies are constantly looking toward unconventional means to hamper our ability as an Air Force, this training is paramount,” said Senior Airman Max Carroll, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management training and logistics NCO in charge. “CBRN Survival Skills Training gives our Airmen the tools to continue the mission, even if a CBRN threat is present.

“Our job as instructors is to ensure that Airmen are put in a position to survive and thrive given the worst possible scenario,” Carroll added.

The U.S. Air Force may be the smallest it’s ever been, but changes like these are the reason we are still the world’s greatest.