MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The B-25 Mitchell bomber and Malmstrom Air Force base share a rich history together as the base was a location for these aircrafts to be sent and manufactured during World War II. And one such aircraft still remains on the base, as a static display at the base’s museum. The bioenvironmental engineering team on base has the tools and resources in ensuring the history of the plane can be preserved by checking for any radiation levels on the aircraft.
“Years ago, the Air Force used certain paints and chemicals on the instrument panels that helped gauges glow in the dark,” said Maj. Christina Peace, 341st Medical Operations Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight commander. "Since then, those chemicals have been considered toxic and are no longer used, so it’s our job to ensure that there are no radioactive components in this case.”
In this instance, a three-person team conducted a check by going inside the aircraft and using radiation detectors such as Geiger counters to check alpha and gamma levels from the cockpit to the tail. This kind of check takes place every three to five years.
“We just want to make sure that this plane is safe and can be enjoyed for years to come here at the museum,” said Senior Airman Eugenio Aquino-Agular, 341st MDOS bioenvironmental team member.
“In this case no dangerous levels were detected on the plane, but there would have been a system in place to make sure levels are reduced to a suitable level,” said Peace. “We take into account the general guidelines ‘time-distance-shielding’ which is what we do to reduce the radiation levels. Time is how long the person stays in that area. Distance is how far they are away from the radioactive area. Shielding is any object that can block it. For instance, when it comes to alpha radiation, simple material such as paper or plastic can block alpha levels.”
In terms of what the bioenvironmental team can detect, it doesn’t stop at aircraft and components at the museum. The unit also checks the drinking water, industrial hygiene in heavy machinery spaces and air quality on base.
“With the level of work and the systems of checks that we do constantly, I like to think that we hold the quality of life on this base at a high standard,” said Airman 1st Class Adam Miller, 341st MDOS bioenvironmental team member.