BSB conducts chemical preparedness training

Photo By Master Sgt. Ben Navratil | U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Robert Winchell of Company C, 201st BSB, is all smiles after exiting the gas chamber at Fort Knox, Ky., Sept. 25. The 201st BSB conducted CBRNE training to ensure all of its soldiers were prepared to respond in the event of a chemical attack downrange.  

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

09.25.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

FORT KNOX, Ky. - Soldiers from the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conducted Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive training on Fort Knox, Ky., Sept. 25.

CBRNE training is an annual requirement passed down by Headquarters Department of the Army and Forces Command. All units are required to perform such tasks before deploying to any combat zone.

Sgt.1st Class Lujan Williams, the non-commissioned officer in charge of CBRNE operations in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 201st BSB, led the training, assisted by a small section of his CBRNE Soldiers.

“I believe that once each soldier understands the basics of CBRNE defense and application, individually and collectively, it will allow the unit to properly counter CBRNE threats,” Williams said.

The training was conducted by incorporating a round-robin platform, providing soldiers multiple training stations on different topics in field and classroom environments.

Before any of the soldiers got to go through the classroom training, however, they had to first survive the “Gas Chamber,” which, as it sounds, is a small hut that can be filled with tear gas. Soldiers enter with their masks on, but once inside they are told to remove, and then replace them. This allows them to understand the importance of clearing any toxins from the mask, as well as adding the stress of completing the required tasks while in an adverse environment.

Many soldiers admitted they were nervous prior to entering the chamber.

“I knew it would be uncomfortable,” said Pfc. Nancy Hernandez, a medic from Company C, 201st BSB, “but it would better prepare me in the event of an actual CBRNE attack.”

Having both the Gas Chamber exercise and classroom instruction allowed the unit to focus on all the fundamentals of CBRNE operations, namely the proper wear of protective equipment, how to properly report a CBRNE attack, and how to use decontamination kit to clean themselves and their equipment after an attack.

“We don’t always get a golden opportunity to train on the basic soldier tasks; but when we do, we try to maximize every aspect of the training,” said Williams, as the training came to a close.

• Date Taken: 09.25.2010
• Date Posted: 10.01.2010 12:53
• Story ID: 57321
• Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US