Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    3rd MarDiv CBRN platoon conducts exercise

    3rd MarDiv CBRN platoon conducts exercise

    Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Bragg | Lance Cpl. Shannon Keene, left, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear...... read more read more

    MARINE CORPS AIR STATION KANEOHE BAY, HI, UNITED STATES

    05.15.2014

    Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg 

    Marine Corps Base Hawaii

    KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii - Marines and sailors of the Assessment and Consequence Management team conducted environmental training at Westfield aboard Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, May 13, 2014.

    The ACM team is comprised of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Marines from 3rd Marine Regiment and is part of the CBRN platoon assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan.

    The team underwent assessment and consequence management training scenarios. This tested their adaptability to changing scenarios while applying the proper safety procedures for conducting research in a contaminated environment.

    During the training, the Marines utilized the new Rapid Area Sensitive Sight and Reconnaissance robot. Controlled via a remote controller and laptop, the RASSR’s main function is to identify current conditions and eliminates the need to physically touch nerve agents.

    The only one owned of its kind by the Marine Corps, the RASSR robot is equipped with an extending claw to pick up debris and gather samples. It is also equipped with a camera that constantly monitors the environment 360 degrees around the device.
    Another feature of the machine is a laser which can identify the chemical compounds in unknown substances.

    “The RASSR is a great tool because it identifies the problem within minutes and helps mitigate most of the hazards we face,” said Lance Cpl. Ryan Siebert, recon team member B, CBRN platoon, Headquarters Bn., 3rd MarDiv, and a 21-year-old native of Bakersfield, Calif. “It’s a new piece of technology, so we want to take advantage of it.”

    The first training scenario involved a wrecked aircraft that was leaking chemical agents, and the RASSR was sent to investigate the area. After examining the aircraft and identifying the problem, two CBRN Marines donned Level B hazardous materials suits and went to the crash site.

    After conducting a security check, the Marines carefully gathered samples of the nerve agent to conduct more research.

    When they finished collecting data, the Marines packed their gear and headed back to the base site to begin their decontamination process.

    “Chemical warfare is something we have to concern ourselves with,” said Cpl. Tyler Olson, recon team leader, CBRN platoon, Headquarters Bn., 3rd MarDiv, and a 20-year-old native of Rapid City, S.D. “Our enemies could implement a nerve agent anytime, so these training scenarios are just one of many things we go through to make sure we’re prepared.”

    The next scenario utilized the RASSR again to identify a chemical problem. Once they received the information from the RASSR about a contamination, three Marines dressed in Level B HAZMAT suits and went to address the situation.

    Upon scanning the area, they discovered a dummy, simulating a casualty.

    The Marines reacted quickly. They put a gas mask with an oxygen tank on the casualty and placed it on a stretcher and escorted it to a safety zone before returning to fix the problem of contamination.
    When the CBRN Marines returned to the affected area, they used the information gained from the RASSR and other equipment to locate the source of the nerve agent and dispose it.

    After dissolving the situation, one of the Marines collapsed in the field as a simulated heat casualty. Running low on air, the other two Marines sent out a distress call signaling help from a quick reaction force.

    The two Marines returned to the safety zone before running out of oxygen as the QRF team left to rescue the heat casualty in the affected area.

    “The purpose of these mobility exercises was to stress the Marines out,” said Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Joy, 3rd MarDiv CBRN officer and officer in charge of the 3rd MarDiv ACM team. “They already know the procedures, but what we wanted to do was put them in situations where they’re required to think on their feet to be better prepared for potential ops.”

    At the conclusion of both scenarios, the Marines conducted an after action report to discuss what they took away from the training.

    “I think the overall training today was good for the Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Jesse Bramer, the 3rd MarDiv CBRN chief and ACM team incident commander. “Although we train to civilian standards and (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), we try to tailor each of our scenarios to a tactical response. We do this to discover our own shortfalls so we can fix it and not let it happen in the future.”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.15.2014
    Date Posted: 05.16.2014 00:16
    Story ID: 130039
    Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION KANEOHE BAY, HI, US
    Hometown: BAKERSFIELD, CA, US
    Hometown: LEXINGTON, NC, US
    Hometown: RAPID CITY, SD, US

    Web Views: 326
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN