Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Wynnfred Hoke | After going through the decontamination line, Staff Sgt. Travis Reed, a CBRNE...... read more read more
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PORT ARTHUR, Texas – Each step taken by the trio was erratic yet calculated. The soldiers were encased in oversized blue suits that provided them security from the dangers that they willingly walked into to investigate.
Under their suits, they wore self contained air tanks with a mask connected to a breathing apparatus that mimicked Darth Vader with each breath they took. The longer in the suit, the hotter it became. The risk of dehydration and running out of oxygen was a real danger during their missions, but they were up to the task. This is what they do.
While most everything back at Fort Hood was business as usual, The Port of Port Arthur was the scene of a training exercise conducted by more than 60 soldiers ready to respond to any chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosives threat.
The 44th Chemical Company convoyed down to Port Arthur on Sept. 26 to conduct a week long Mission Readiness Exercise in preparation of their up-coming deployment in support of contingency operations in Kuwait.
“In preparation to the upcoming mission, we are responding to consequent management events that occur in infrastructure, built up areas similar to an airport or airfield and or a port scenario,” said Maj. Jim Scott, operations officer for the 2nd Chemical Battalion.
Part of the training exercise conducted by the 44th Chemical Company is reconnaissance and decontamination of the area.
A M93A1 Fox, a rolling laboratory that takes air, water, and ground samples, is first to roll onto the scene.
After the Fox’s recon mission, The Falcon III Fixed Site Decontamination System took over to neutralize the chemicals.
“This piece of equipment is a time saver,” said Spc. Jason Rich, a CBRNE specialist with 2nd platoon, 44th Chemical Brigade. “Instead of walking by foot, you can just get in the truck and get it done much quicker.”
After the Fox and the Falcon paved the way to a safe entrance of the training site, the CBRNE teams entered to find the chemical source, study it, and neutralize it.
During the exercise, the chemical brigade had visitors that watched the training in amazement.
One of those onlookers was Ronnie Hicks, director of Operations, Port of Port Arthur.
“Being able to observe the movement of the soldiers from the command site to the port was a sight to see,” said Hicks. “Moving cargo and folks are what we do, and look at too.”
“Overall, I think this training exercise was a big success,” said Hicks. “I think next time there will be more lessons learned and more brought to the table on both parts.”
Hicks further discussed the Coast Guard and Homeland Security showing an interest in participating in the next exercise due to the overall success the 44th and the port had during this MRX .
To show the unit’s appreciation to the port, Lt. Col. Christopher J. Cox, commander, 2nd Chemical Battalion, presented a certificate of appreciation to Morris Albright, president of the board of commissioners for the Port of Port Arthur, for allowing the use of the port to the chemical unit.
Towards the end of the training exercise a lot was to be said of the soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the chemical company.
“The soldiers have been doing an incredible job,” said Scott. “The non-commissioned officers are truly the backbone of the Army and have been leading the way ensuring the soldiers are prepared for their upcoming mission.”
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.07.2010 10:33 |
| Story ID: | 57682 |
| Location: | PORT ARTHUR, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 177 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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