181st Intelligence Wing’s CERF-P Airmen get more than military involved for external evaluation

Photo By Senior Airman Kodie Egenolf | Members of the 19th CERF-P, or Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package decontamination team provide treatment to a casualty mannequin during a training exercise Thursday, April 16, at Muscatatuk Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind. The 19th CERF-P is a joint Air and Army National Guard team comprised of the 181st Intelligence Wing's CERF-P medical component and the 81st Troop Command's emergency response unit. The training prepares the 19th CERF-P for rapid response to natural and man-made disasters throughout the state of Indiana. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kodie Egenolf/Released)  

TERRE HAUTE, IN, UNITED STATES

04.14.2014

Story by Senior Airman Kodie Egenolf 

181st Intelligence Wing

HULMAN FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ind. — This week Airmen from the 181st Intelligence Wing, Indiana Air National Guard are being evaluated on disaster first response skills at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Butlerville Indiana.

The Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package is a joint mission involving around 200 Air and Army National Guard members trained to respond to any natural or manmade disaster.

“This is the most rewarding mission I’ve done in my 19 years, it’s a different kind of gratification,” stated Captain Leanna Edwards, 181 IW Medical Group. “It’s nice to know we are a part of a big mission that serves the people of Indiana.”

Training and evaluation exercises are a primary way for Airmen to train and make connections with local EMS and other relief efforts personnel, just as they would in a real crisis.

“(We) reach out as much as possible to build relationships so that if there is an event it’s not the first time we meet, we have a working relationship already established,” stated Master Sgt. Sean Fretwell, 181 Intelligence Wing Medical Group.

“If we roll up to a scene with the Evansville Fire Department, we need to know each other’s capabilities,” stated Edwards.

The 181st IW is always prepared to work with the community to protect the nation and the state of Indiana.

“This training is done often, I feel it’s just going to be another exercise,” stated Fretwell.

“The CERF-P mission requires that we conduct two collective exercises with the other portions of our joint team and then every twenty-four to thirty-six months we are externally evaluated by a team from the National Guard Bureau,” stated Fretwell.

• Date Taken: 04.14.2014
• Date Posted: 07.18.2014 10:46
• Story ID: 136493
• Location: TERRE HAUTE, IN, US