CBRN threat response exercise tests Moody's readiness, prepares for ACC challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Five Moody Airmen from medical and emergency management careers fields teamed up Dec. 1-4 to exercise response to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats during the Air Combat Command CBRN Challenge.

For the challenge, the 23rd Aeromedical-Dental Squadron Bioenvironmental
Engineering Flight and the 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management Flight combined flight capabilities to manage several CBRN threat scenarios and earn points, said Fred Suedbeck, Air Combat Command home station medical response CBRN analyst.

ACC representatives evaluated their efforts and rated their performance on a point scale.

"We looked for how well the team reacted to each scenario, if they met the objectives and if they displayed teamwork," said Patrick Cowhey, ACC CBRN Challenge evaluator. "The points will be given based on the team's performance."

The challenge was comprised of six scenarios, which included a chemical spill from a truck on a major highway simulation. The response team was allotted three hours from notification to respond and take the necessary actions.

After the simulated accident was reported, the team was dispatched and immediately arrived on-scene with their emergency response trailer filled with mission-essential equipment.

"We try to input as much realism--even worst case scenarios," said Mr. Cowhey. "Some of these scenarios required them to wear chemical suits, use personal radiation detectors and self-contained breathing apparatuses."

Moody is the first of seven bases to be evaluated by ACC. While the challenge serves as a friendly competition between bases, participants use this opportunity to gain experience working together in a joint environment.

"This challenge is more of a training experience than a competition," said Mr. Suedbecker. "It's not often that the Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight and Emergency Management Flight get to work together."

"While base exercises are one of the few times they get to synergize efforts, they never get to finish most of the time," he said. "The challenge allows them to complete scenarios from beginning to end. It's also important for the flights to learn about each other's missions, capabilities and equipment."

The base with the highest points accumulated during the competition will represent ACC in the Air Force-wide CBRN Challenge in March 2009 at Brooks City-Base in San Antonio, Texas.

The CBRN Challenge began as a U.S. Air Forces in Europe training exercise before the Bioenvironmental Engineering Corporate Board decided to expand the exercise to include all major commands.

Some of the other major commands competing include Air Mobility Command, Air Force Material Command, Air Education and Training Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The Air National Guard will also be represented in the competition.

"It's a fun and exciting experience for the team," said Mr. Suedbecker. "Even if they don't win the competition, I hope they realize how important it is to work and train together."