‘Vanguard’ soldiers unmask with confidence during CBRN training

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Katzenberger | (Left to Right) 1st Lt. Jesse D. Backman, an armor officer, and Cpl. Bryan D. Russell, Sgt. Patrick J. Sisler and Staff Sgt. Daniel E. Brun, cavalry scouts with B Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, exit a CS gas chamber, Jan. 9, during quarterly Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear training on Fort Stewart, Ga. “Bushmaster” soldiers received refresher training on the proper wear of the field protective mask and the Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology protective garment, and gained confidence in their equipment by unmasking in the gas chamber.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

01.11.2012

Story by Sgt. Mary Katzenberger 

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. – The smoke caused by burning CS gas capsules wafted slowly to the top of the chamber. When the door at the head of the building opened and the soldiers stepped in, the smoke snaked toward the opening, almost inviting the soldiers to come in and play.

The soldiers, with B Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, faced the smoke and invisible gas as their final task in completing quarterly Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear training, Jan. 9, at Fort Stewart, Ga.

Spc. Victor A. Castillo, a native of New York, and a chemical operations specialist with B Troop, 6th Sqdrn., 8th Cav. Regt., said the training focused on the proper wear of the field protective mask and the Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology protective suit, and challenged the soldiers to inhale choke-inducing gas to gain confidence in their equipment.

The chemical operations specialist said that while the training was important it was also fun to see the soldiers’ reactions after they unmasked.

“It’s pretty funny seeing people freak out,” Castillo said. “I find it funny and I’m pretty sure a lot of people find it funny.”

As the soldiers scattered out the side door of the building, wincing, moaning and expectorating, soldiers who had completed the training took photos and laughed, their own eyes dripping tears from the irritation they had experienced themselves only moments before.

Spc. John E. Bulloch, a native of Hillsdale, Mich., and a cavalry scout with 6th Sqdrn., 8th Cav. Regt., said unmasking inside the chamber was fun, and that he did the best he could to recite his social security number, his rank and his last name when he unmasked inside the chamber.

Bulloch said it was a difficult task, however, because the gas choked him and burned his eyes.

Pfc. Guiovanny Lopez, a native of Miami, and a cavalry scout with 6th Sqdrn., 8th Cav. Regt., said he didn’t fare as well when he tried to speak inside the chamber. Lopez said he and his squad had to sing “The Dog-Faced Soldier” song.

“I probably said…the first sentence, that’s it,” Lopez said. “Then I started coughing.

Lopez said that despite the momentary inability to breathe, the training helped show him and the members of his unit how to properly protect themselves in a chemical environment.

• Date Taken: 01.11.2012
• Date Posted: 01.13.2012 12:08
• Story ID: 82374
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US