FORT HOOD, Texas – Seventy-five soldiers from Company C of the 1st "Centurion" Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training at the Black Gap Small Arms Complex, here, Aug. 21.
"If we ever go into a combat zone where there is contamination, we want to be able to still function and accomplish our mission," said 1st Lt. Quintin Kuntz, New Knoxville, Ohio, native, and platoon leader with Company C. "It is important for the soldiers to be comfortable with their gear so they have confidence in what they are doing."
When Company C soldiers arrived at the CBRN range, there were three stations they were required to attend for training before entering the CS, or gas chamber.
Soldiers spent approximately 20 to 30 minutes at each station, where they were instructed on the M256 Chemical Agent Detector Kit, the Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology and how to properly don their protective gas masks.
Some of the younger soldiers haven't participated in a gas chamber exercise since they graduated their basic combat training, including Spc. Nathan Menard, New Iberia, La., native, and combat engineer assigned to Company C.
"We have practiced putting on our masks a few times this year," Menard said. "I haven't done the gas chamber since basic training, about two years ago, so it was a good refresher."
This will not be the last time Centurion soldiers will conduct CBRN training. They have an upcoming gunnery where one test is a CBRN engagement, involving the use of their gas masks and hatches closed.
"Usually in gunnery (soldiers) have all the hatches open so they can quickly and accurately identify targets," Kuntz said explaining the CBRN portion of gunnery. "When it's a CBRN engagement all hatches are closed and you have to wear the mask so you are looking through different optics with the mask on."
Kuntz went on to explain, if soldiers aren't comfortable on how to employ their masks on the ground it toughens their tasks at gunnery and he believes this training helps boost soldiers' confidence.
"This training will help soldiers because they know they can accomplish their mission even if in a contaminated area," Kuntz concluded.