Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing conducted chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense (CBRN) drills during exercise Winter Fury 18 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 4 through Dec. 8.
The purpose of the CBRN drills was to ensure that 3rd MAW is capable of operating in a contaminated environment. This exercise provided training in simulated expeditionary environments to ensure 3rd MAW remains capable of deploying in a moment’s notice with lethal force.
During the exercise, CBRN Marines briefed unit commanders on possible threats and took action against a simulated chemical facility plant explosion in which the Marines honed their skills on mitigating any possible trace of chemicals agents. Executing these types of simulations is important to keep the Marines well-versed in their military occupation specialty (MOS), said Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Rodriguez, 3rd MAW CBRN staff noncommissioned officer.
“In reality, if a situation such as this were to occur, we would employ a recon, survey and decontamination (RSD) team, which are Marines from subordinate units who we have trained,” said Cpl. Jordan Doty, a CBRN specialist with 3rd MAW. “If the situation is outside of the RSD team’s realm, that is when we would go in and mitigate any trace of contaminations.”
CBRN is involved in the planning and execution of every military organized exercise or operation when there is a threat of either a chemical attack or incidental contamination. Both before and during an exercise or operation, CBRN will brief the squadron and unit commanders on the possibility of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threat.
“This exercise gave us an opportunity to identify any shortfalls, which resulted during the exercise and how we could be more efficient at responding to any threats,” said Rodriguez. “Our mission is to protect Marines from any CBRN related threats; we want to ensure that we do everything within our power to bring everyone home safe and sound.”