Photo By Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom | Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile gas or CS, is dumped onto a hot plate in its powder...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense specialists helped bolster Marines’ trust and confidence in their equipment while in a chemically unsafe environment during training in the gas chamber aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Wednesday, April 11.
The purpose of the training is to ensure Marines are prepared to don protective gear and operate in a potentially dangerous environment.
The CBRN Marines run the chamber 2-3 times a week, conducting what’s dubbed an individual protection equipment confidence exercise.
“Marines need to look at this training as an environment, not just as annual training,” said Gunnery Sgt. Robert M. Taylor, CBRN inspection chief at the chamber.
Taylor further explained that the chamber is an environment change, just as if it was sunny and then starts to rain.
“We change what we wear and how we act depending on the environment we are in,” he said.
The job of a CBRN specialist is to pass vital information on to other Marines. They give classes in a way to get through to all Marines, so the information is better retained.
“If we are teaching classes, we have to make sure everyone is where they need to be,” said Sgt. Lewis C. McCormick, a CBRN range chief at the chamber. “It can be very stressful sometimes to keep track of the Marines and make sure they are retaining the information.”
“When we don’t have the chamber going we have classes to improve on our instructor skills,” he said. “We take out gear to ensure it works well and that we know how to use it properly.
“It’s important that if Marines find themselves in a chemically unsafe environment, they know their gear is going to help them, protect them, and get them home safely to their families,” said McCormick.
If a chemical attack happens in real life, Marines are not going to know when or where it happens and it won’t be in a chamber, said Taylor.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing new people every day and teaching them some of what I know, so if they are ever in a situation, they can reflect back to what I’ve taught them,” McCormick said.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2012 15:38 |
| Story ID: | 86666 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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