Training to accomplish the mission through teamwork

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Airmen train long and hard to be proficient at what they do. Constant practice is needed to learn the ins and outs of a person's career and excellence can only be achieved when hard-learned skill sets are implemented properly.

For a group of Airmen at Malmstrom Air Force Base, a very specific set of skills were sharpened and the ability to think on their feet as a single cohesive unit was put to the test during a half-day training session at Malmstrom's old Base Exchange.

During the training session, which was implemented to practice chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive safety procedures, Airmen from Malmstrom's 341st Civil Engineer Squadron and 341st Medical Operations Squadron came together to stop a simulated extremely hazardous scenario.

"When we practice these scenarios we try to make it as close to real life as we can," said Staff Sgt. Brock Evans, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management technician. "A lot goes into making sure we do things right and that we do it safely. The first thing we accomplish when we enter a dangerous area is identify what the hazards are so we can give the incident commander correct information in order for him to make an informed decision on what should be done. From that point, depending on what is taking place, we also act a lot like detectives.

"Most people don't realize the detail that goes into this," he continued. "A lot of times we are dealing with a crime scene and the evidence that is left behind after dismantling the threat needs to be treated accordingly. It can be very hectic and in a real-life situation people's lives are on the line, so our main goal is to make sure everyone makes it out safe."

To handle these special situations properly, Team Malmstrom members from the 341st CES installation office of emergency management and 341st MDOS bio-environmental flight combine to form a CBRNE Emergency Response Force otherwise known as a CERF team.

"A really important fact is to understand the team structure," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Maas, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management NCO in charge. "This really is a joint team effort. Without the help of both parties we could not accomplish the mission. Even our civilian counterparts provide assistance. When you put us together there is no task that is too great.

"Since 2001, the Malmstrom Air Force Base CERF team has been on standby 24/7," he continued. "Providing assistance out in the field is a big part of what we do but that is still only one facet to a bigger system. On a day-to-day basis, we also write and review all the emergency plans for natural disasters, terrorist attacks and weapons of mass destruction here on base. It's a small part in the overall organization but I believe an essential part to the safety of everyone here."

Throughout the exercise, participants worked together to handle situations which could not be completed with the knowledge of a single section. At the end of the day the simulated threat was taken care of with no simulated casualties and the cause of the situation was detained.

"We have a great team," Evans said. "We couldn't have done it without teamwork."