Inside the suit: Airmen train, experience life in chemical gear

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  (Editor's note: This is the second of a three-part series on Air Force chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training as it's managed and conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The series will cover equipment, training and practical exercise.)

The Air Force's "C-bag" contains vital lifesaving, sustaining gear needed to protect Airmen in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive attack. But, that gear is becomes effective if and when Airmen equip and use it.

The Air Force's CBRNE training is an eight-hour course split evenly between computer-based learning and practical hands-on training. The training is required based on an Airman's deployment vulnerability and frequency.

"When an Airman is tasked to deploy they take the hands on training," said Senior Airman Audrie John, emergency management flight instructor. "High tempo deployers take the course every two years."

The purpose of the training is to provide the knowledge and practice of operating in a war time environment with the threat of CBRN weapons being used, according to Staff Sgt. Peter Torres, emergency management flight instructor.

Eglin's practical CBRNE training is conducted by 16 instructors in the emergency management flight under the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron.

"It's amazing to see our Airmen's demeanor change when they are instructing in the classroom and out in the field compared to in the office," said Capt. Maria Borders, flight commander. "Although always professional, you can see the weight of responsibility in their tone and mannerisms when they are teaching--they understand the gravity of providing quality instruction so our deployers can replicate these actions downrange if need be to safeguard lives and equipment."

The online training consists of proper chemical suit wear procedures, Mission Oriented Protective Posture levels, alarm conditions, contamination detection paper and decontamination actions to name a few.

The hands-on training puts the Airmen in the suits and mask, many for the first time since basic training, and explains how to properly wear and operate in the gear.

"It really allows the students to run through the motions an actually use the equipment instead of learning from a CBT while keeping their gear stashed away under their bed," Sergeant Torres said.

"The motions" is a war-time scenario where after learning how to properly put on the gear, Airmen don proper MOPP gear based on the conditions. Eventually, they are in full chemical gear operating in a simulated contaminated environment. Movement becomes more deliberate and measured with the slight loss of almost all senses while wearing the gear.

"Your sense of touch and vision drops, you lose depth perception and you body temperature will rises and you breathe harder," said Senior Master Sgt. Nyron Alexander, 96th Force Support Squadron, who's served two Korean tours where CBRNE training is a way of life. "You're so much more aware of your movement because you don't want to damage your suit or break the seal on the mask. Being comfortable in the suit requires a lot of patience."

Dressed in layers of protection, they must determine the levels of chemical exposure around the area based on knowledge from the online training and their Airman's Manuals. Airmen also have to protect vital equipment during the scenario using proper contamination avoidance methods.

"We try to use real world elements like unexploded ordnance or an injured Airman to motivate the students and get full participation," Sergeant Torres said.

Another part of training is testing the gas mask to ensure it is worn properly. Instructors at Eglin have Airmen inhale a mild chemical irritant with the mask, then repeat the process without it.

"We use the irritant to give the wearer confidence in their mask," said Airman John. "If worn correctly the mask can save your life."

The instructors themselves go through a higher degree of mask confidence training during their technical school. They are exposed to various real-world chemical agents to give them first-hand knowledge so they can teach from experience.

"The chamber is more of a mental obstacle to overcome," said Airman John. "You're worried for yourself, but you also thinking 'it's going to be my job to ensure other Airmen know how to protect themselves if they're ever faced with a situation like this.'"

Finally, the Airmen learn about the decontamination process, by removing the contaminated layers of the chemical gear through four stages.

The Airmen learn how to remove all gear without spreading any contamination onto themselves or into a 'clean zone,'" said Airman John.

After completing CBRNE training, Airmen are prepared with a basic knowledge of the type of scenario they could face and how to gear up and react with confidence.

"When your life depends on it, comfort is essential," said Sergeant Alexander, who completed his CBRNE course prior to another tour in Korea. "The more comfortable Airmen are (in the gear) the better they perform and more willing they are to perform."

Part three focuses on a real world simulation, the base's first response reaction and how one Eglin unit helps the victims of a chemical attack.