Gunfighters host ACC decontamination training

  • Published
  • By Airman Shane M. Phipps
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Gunfighters played host to Air Combat Command's decontamination training for Airmen from multiple installations to include Nellis, Tinker and Langley Air Force bases from Aug. 15 to 19. During this training, Airmen were introduced to the Lightweight Inflatable Decontamination System, which was created to make the decontamination process more efficient.

"I've been involved with aircrew decontamination for 24 years and it is extremely beneficial," said Kevin Turner, support contractor for ACC air crew flight equipment. "It proves we have the capability for our guys to operate in any environment and bring them back safely."

In an assembly line fashion, the subject progresses from station to station, gradually shedding possibly contaminated equipment.

"We can process any aircrew member, from any country, with any ensemble," said Staff Sgt. Lahella Sanchez, flight equipment technician with the 366th Operation Support Squadron. "The LIDS system is a streamline process, which is much more user friendly and includes inflatable stations as opposed to metal infrastructures used in the past."

The various stages are intended to reduce the likelihood of contaminating the next station.

"Utilizing the multiple stations of the LIDS process significantly increases the chance of not carrying contaminants with you," Sanchez said.

Many Airmen involved with the training were eager to receive guidance from ACC.

"I think ACC coming here is great for training, it's helpful to see firsthand how other people approach something that is so new to me," said Airman 1st Class Daniel Burrow, flight equipment technician with the 366th Operation Support Squadron.

Sanchez agrees that ACC involvement was vital to training success.

"Having ACC come out here and tell us exactly how this is supposed to be done will hopefully create continuity between the commands and beyond," Sanchez said.

The LIDS is a way of standardizing real world decontamination for all Air Force aircrew members worldwide.