Quarterly chemical training keeps Marine unit on Okinawa up to par

Photo By Cpl. Antwain Graham | Chemical, biological and radiological threats are a part of today's combat environment, and Marines must remain at a constant level of readiness if an attack occurs, said Lance Cpl. Orin Colegrave, an assistant instructor with the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear section of Marine Air Group 36 Headquarters, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The chemical reconnaissance and avoidance team with CBRN recently completed refresher training to handle such threats. The goal of the CRA team is to limit the potential of these agents through prevention of attack and minimization of effect.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.31.2009

Story by Pfc. Antwain Graham 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER - Marines with the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear section of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted chemical reconnaissance and avoidance team training July 31 here.

The section's CRA team conducted a three-day quarterly sustainment exercise to refresh the Marines on how to avoid contamination during a chemical, biological or radiological attack.

"With chemical, biological and radiological threats being a part of today's combat environment, we must remain at a constant level of readiness," said Lance Cpl. Orin Colegrove, a CBRN assistant instructor.

During the training, the team used special equipment to detect and locate chemical agents. The equipment included a vapor detection kit, a Chemical Agent Monitor and the Automatic Chemical Agent Detector Alarm.

The training then simulated a chemical attack in which some Marines who were contaminated became casualties. Mouthwash was used to simulate the chemical agent.

The team's next move was to assist all casualties while preventing further spread of contamination by moving the casualties to a pre-organized decontamination line.

"It's a race against the clock to remove and neutralize the gear before contamination spreads," Colegrove said.

The decontamination line consisted of six primary stations. At each station, the Marines helped remove articles of Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear from each other and unconscious casualties.

Once all gear was sterilized and the casualty was declared fully decontaminated, he or she was moved beyond the decontamination line.

"From there, the casualties will be transported to the nearest medical facility," said Cpl. Andrew Lopez, the CBRN chief instructor for the exercise.

Lopez added that in a biological war zone, the CRA team's objective would be to avoid contamination by reducing the probability of being hit by an attack or, if attacked, to reduce the effects.

The team's first measure of avoidance is to maintain operational security, by establishing good communication, camouflage and light discipline to conceal their location and help reduce the chances of being targeted.

If a CBRN attack is unavoidable, the team must then use its skills to detect the chemical agent. An early warning is vital to that unit's survivability.

"Planning ahead is a key part of conducting operations in a contaminated environment," Colegrove said.

The training was a refresher for some, but a new learning experience for others.

"This is my first time going through this exercise, but I learned to be on my toes if a chemical attack happens," said Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Blankenship, an air framer with CBRN. "It's important to do this training because you don't want to forget it when you really need it."

• Date Taken: 07.31.2009
• Date Posted: 08.18.2009 03:14
• Story ID: 37617
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP