Alabama National Guard demonstrates CBRN capabilities

Photo By Staff Sgt. Candice Harrison | Spc. Jonathan Coates, of Birmingham, Ala., Spc. Zackary Chaffin, of Huntsville, Ala., and Krystal Lloyd, also from Birmingham, Ala., guardsmen from 208th Chemical Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade out of Springville, Ala., prepare to enter a building to conduct site characterization at Mascatatuck Urban Training Complex, Ind., Aug. 8. The chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialists bring CBRN detection equipment and causality extraction equipment to the building during Vibrant Response 13. Vibrant Response is a major field training exercise conducted by U.S. Northern Command and led by U.S. Army North.  

IN, UNITED STATES

08.08.2012

Story by Sgt. Candice Harrison 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING COMPLEX, Indiana – Guardsmen, from the 208th Chemical Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade out of Springville, Ala., conducted site characterization training at Mascatatuck Urban Training Complex, Ind., Aug. 8.

Site characterization is a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response technique that includes entering a building and mapping it out while checking for injured people and CBRN contamination.

“Site characterization is going around the outside and inside a building and (describing) how many rooms and where they are,” said Spc. Zackary Chaffin, a CBRN specialist with 208th and a native of Huntsville, Ala. “While inside those rooms we see if there are any hazards such as radiation, biological or chemical agents.”

The guardsmen, fully clad in their protective equipment, move from room to room sending information about dimensions and locations of rooms, windows and doors to their base site. When the team of three reached a role-player or mannequin with an “injury,” they assessed the situation and evacuate the causality to medics waiting outside.

“We take the (litters) just in case we come across casualties,” said Spc. Jonathan Coates, also a CBRN specialist with 208th, and a native of Birmingham, Ala. “That way we can get them to the (decontamination site) and get the treatment they need.”

At the front of the building, role-players covered the lawn crying for help and complaining of “injuries.” As shocking as the sight could have been, the guardsmen have prepared themselves for situations like this with training.

“If there was to be an attack, we need to be prepared, first of all. If you don’t go in and do this stuff repeatedly and make it muscle memory, you won’t be able to complete your mission when it is necessary,” said Chaffin. “Those going in, if they are not properly trained then they will become casualties themselves.”

The CBRN specialists have practiced this type of training in the past, but usually for combat type situations. With the focus of their training being homeland operations, the mindsets of these guardsmen have had to change.

“It’s one thing to prepare for combat in someplace you’ve never been, compared to going to a city where you may know people, or America period,” said Spc. Krystal Lloyd, a CBRN specialist with 208th, and a native of Birmingham, Ala. “With this mission its more about rescue and saving lives, making a difference.”

The chemical company is participating in Vibrant Response 13, a major field training exercise conducted by U.S. Northern Command and led by U.S Army North. Vibrant Response has brought together military units and civilian forces to train for operations conducted after a domestic CBRN incident.

“I feel like I’m doing a big job here because people are going to be looking towards us for help,” said Coates. “We are getting everybody to come together so we can be on the same page.”

• Date Taken: 08.08.2012
• Date Posted: 08.09.2012 15:15
• Story ID: 92935
• Location: IN, US
• Hometown: BIRMINGHAM, AL, US
• Hometown: CULLMAN, AL, US
• Hometown: HUNTSVILLE, AL, US
• Hometown: SPRINGVILLE, AL, US