Photo By Staff Sgt. Jesse Hanson | U.S. Air Force Airmen, Air National Guardsmen and U.S. Marines test a chlorine...... read more read more
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OKINAWA, Japan --In the dynamic world of emergency response, preparedness is everything. For military HAZMAT (hazardous materials) teams, staying sharp through regular recertification isn’t just a matter of compliance—it’s about saving lives and supporting each other when seconds count. A recent HAZMAT recertification exercise at Kadena Air Base, demonstrated how vital joint training across military branches has become for operational readiness and mission success.
“It’s critical that we complete our annual recertification process,” said Senior Master Sgt. Steven Breeden, 134th ARW Installation emergency manager. “This ensures we remain fully qualified to assess emergencies in real time and can complete our mission no matter the obstacle.”
Held in a collaborative environment, teams from the 134th Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen, as well as 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Firefighters and U.S Marines donned chemical gear and protective attire during the simulated event. The recertification emphasized the importance of joint emergency training and mutual learning. The knowledge-sharing atmosphere provided a training ground to better their joint-response to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) materials emergencies.
“This kind of training reminds us that we have someone else behind us,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Velasco, CBRNE defense officer, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172. “Outside of the active duty force, there’s going to be support. It just helps out tremendously.
When I talk to my team, they tell me how great the training is and they learned a lot of those techniques and procedures from the Air Force, also from the National Guard. It just made us all a bit better.”
Each branch brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table, which makes joint exercises especially valuable. By training together, service members build trust and refine tactics, techniques and procedures in the process.
“There are a lot of different ways to perfect and adjust our training as we go,” Senior Airman Triston Ingwerson,18th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighter. “So learning from the Marines and the Guardsmen allows us to add more tools to our tool belt.”
In real-world emergencies—chemical spills, structural fires, or mass casualty incidents—seamless coordination across departments and branches is critical. “Throughout every emergency, there's going to be professionals in each different shop and division,” Ingwerson noted. “We might be calling the medics, emergency management, power production and barrier maintenance.”
Unified command and communication is not just a concept—it’s a necessity. Working in a joint environment allows these emergency responders to maintain confidence in their training and each other. In the end, this training not only meets standards, it raises them.
“This training just reflects the true nature of what we do or will be asked to do,” Breeden added. “Interacting with our Marine counterparts and working with active duty Airmen strengthens our capabilities and makes us that much more effective in any scenario.”
In an era of complex threats and rapid-response requirements, this kind of cross-branch training prepares Tennessee Guardsmen to act swiftly, cohesively, and effectively. The message is clear: readiness isn’t built alone. It’s forged together, through collaboration, training and the shared commitment to serve.
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2025 08:55 |
| Story ID: | 501239 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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