WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 445th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency management flight conducted chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training June 22 to June 25, 2020 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
During the annual tour, members reinforced their skills in navigation, radiological contamination prevention and hazmat spill response along with other activities including mobile threat response and dismounted chemical reconnaissance and surveillance.
The completion of these activities prepared the emergency management flight to supplement the base’s emergency response infrastructure and provide education and support to the rest of the 445th Airlift Wing.
Master Sgt. Kathleen Wyatt, the senior NCO in charge of the CES readiness and emergency management flight, ensured that the flight emphasized preparedness.
“The necessity of our job is embedded in everything,” said Wyatt. “You can’t function when you aren’t secure, and it’s our job to think of these things ahead of time so that no one is at a loss when safety is critical. We are practicing all of our procedures so we can turn towards supporting the readiness of the wing because having the proper techniques to operate in a contaminated environment is extremely important for everyone to understand.”
Few are in a better position to understand the impact that invisible threats can have on global operations than the readiness and emergency management flight. Countless hours are spent by their Airmen in preparation to counter chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats and to share that knowledge with 445th members.
While the ongoing global pandemic has seen a dramatic shift in how Airmen access tools to coordinate with each other and fulfill their objectives, the CES and other 445th squadrons have risen to the challenge, tackling it head on and continuing in their dedication to supporting the mission at home and abroad.
“The training this week has been phenomenal,” said Senior Airman Jeremiah Gregorio, a training participant and CBRN instructor. “It’s nice to see that our Airmen can bring their knowledge together and contribute to the mission of our shop, squadron and wing.”
As the wing continues to prepare for operations, the CES provides a glimpse into how all Airmen will be expected to continue the fight while overcoming uncommon obstacles. Despite currently adjusting to the invisible enemy of COVID-19, 445th Airmen have continued to prepare themselves and their wing to confront other potential invisible threats in the future.