DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Readiness is at the core of being an Airman in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Part of maintaining readiness is being trained and equipped to survive in austere environments, including chemical warfare.
As part of Warrior Week at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Airmen underwent CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Defense Training on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. The training tested their knowledge and prepared the participants for potential threats with hands-on exercises.
“In this day and time, CBRN is a real threat for our Airmen and we’re using Warrior Week to get people deployment ready,” said Dr. Eric Stere, Installation Emergency Manager for Dobbins Air Reserve Base. “We get the opportunity to train these Airmen in the chance we go to war with an enemy or undergo a terrorist attack.”
The three-hour training course walked Airmen through all phases of chemical warfare response measures, particularly how to properly don and doff MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) gear. There are six levels of MOPP, ranging from MOPP ready to MOPP 4, each equipped at one point during the training.
“The main benefit from this training is to give everyday Airmen a refresher on what they’d see in a deployed environment,” said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Davis, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Emergency Management for the 94th Civil Engineering Squadron. “Performing this exercise in MOPP gear will help improve their ability to recall everything when the need arises.”
Among the Airmen undergoing the training was Master Sgt. Andrew Cline, Training NCOIC for the 94th Operational Support Squadron. A 13-year veteran, Cline has undergone several iterations of CBRN Defense Training.
“Readiness should be top of mind for all Reservists, and this course is one that I find the most rewarding each time I take it,” said Cline. “The opportunity to don MOPP gear gets us mentally and physically prepared for real world scenarios and I know we are being trained by the best.”
Each CBRN Defense Training class typically averages around 60 Airmen and last year saw more than 600 Dobbins Airmen undergo the course. This training is a requirement every two years.
“Interacting with everyday Airmen and seeing them have a better understanding and growing more confident in themselves is something that I value out of this training,” said Davis. “It’s a lot to remember, but if we teach it well then it will help them recall when it’s needed.”