366th CES emergency management conducts CBRNE training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class JaNae Capuno
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives training prepares Airmen to survive and work in a harmful environment anywhere in the world. CBRNE training is essential to Gunfighters because honing their warfighting capabilities can save their lives.

“CBRNE (training) is important to know because our enemies have these weapons, and are willing to use them,” said Senior Airman Christopher Hoppler, 366th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman. “They have the ability to create more and use them on us, so we must prepare ourselves in case we do get attacked.”

The 366th Fighter Wing is expected to receive new gas masks, equipment, and further CBRNE training for real-world contingencies. The training also covers how to use mission-oriented protective posture gear.

“It should take someone eight minutes to put on their gear from MOPP level zero to MOPP level four,” said Senior Airman Bryanna Tippit, 366th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman. “If a chemical attack should happen, that amount of time should allow the least amount of damage to yourself.”

The 366th CES emergency management team says it is vital to have 100 percent participation from the base during these training exercises to be ready for anything in a moment’s notice.

“We need everybody trained in CBRNE, because everyone needs to be able to operate in that kind of environment to keep the base going,” Hoppler said. “For example, if the power grid goes down, the base needs CBRNE-trained electricians to be able to do their job and get things back up and running without death or injury.”

With the understanding that incidents can happen anywhere, this training can prepare Airmen to respond to CBRNE threats here at home.

“Thankfully we don’t see much of it here, but terrorism occurs throughout the entire world,” Hoppler said. “People don’t need high-tech labs to make weapons, and we always have to be prepared.”

With CBRNE emergency management training, Airmen should remember that resiliency and a good attitude play a big part in completing any task.
“Pay attention, come in with an open mind and have fun with it,” Tippit said. “The training is for a reason and it may save your life.”