44th Chem trains to prevent disaster

Photo By Sgt. Wesley Landrum | Spc. Jacob Borden seals an unknown liquid substance during a training exercise at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 9. During the exercise, Borden's job was to identify and collect samples of unknown substances.  

KUWAIT

12.02.2007

Story by Spc. Wesley Landrum 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

Two trucks rolled up around 8 a.m. One pulled a generator. The other carried cylindrical objects. Teams climbed down from the vehicles, surveyed the situation and then got to work. It was time for the 44th Chemical Company to clean up a mess.

Soldiers from the company conducted a simulated mission in the Zone 7 container yard at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 9. For the scenario, an unidentified substance was found in one of the cargo containers and the team was sent to contain the spill and identify the substance.

The training keeps the Soldiers on top of their game, said Capt. Timothy Graber, 44th Chem. Co. commander.

"You never know when an attack could occur," he said. "We have to be ready to respond in a moment's notice."

The team set up a command post and the decontamination areas first, making sure they were not downwind of the contaminated area. After the set up, they proceeded to the contamination site.

A two-man reconnaissance team entered the contaminated area first. Dressed in protective suits, they laid out their equipment and began to identify the substance.
Graber said each person's job is important. Each person contributes in their own special way whether it is the reconnaissance team, the sample team or the decontamination squad.

"One team cannot work without the other," Graber said. "We are like a machine in some respects. If one part is out of kilter, the machine will break down."

With the recon team's job done, the sample team went into the cargo container. When they entered the structure, they quickly noticed the overturned cylinder and the powdery substance scattered on the floor.

Staff Sgt. Catherine Jones, team leader for third platoon, 44th Chem. Co., said once the substance is identified, they collect samples. She said the three-man team she heads up collects as much of the unknown substance as they can to process it further.

"We'll go in and take a specimen of the substance," Jones said. "It's a very important step because we have to make sure it does not get out and make people sick, or worse, kill them."

Once they have collected the samples, they decontaminate themselves. A decontamination shower is set up for the sample team to walk through. One by one and in their suits, they step into the shower. While there, they scrub off the contaminated particles. As they exit, they are met by the decontamination squad who helps them get out of the suits. Upon delivery of the unknown substance to the proper authorities, their mission is over.

While it is only training, Jones said it is to be taken seriously because anything can happen at a moment's notice.

"We are in a combat zone," she said. "The enemy may have access to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons. We need to be at the top of our game so we can prevent (contaminants) from spreading and infecting people."

• Date Taken: 12.02.2007
• Date Posted: 12.02.2007 15:50
• Story ID: 14332
• Location: KW