USAFE challenges base teams in HAZMAT response

  • Published
  • By 1Lt J.D. Griffin
  • USAFE Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The best Full-Spectrum Threat Response Strike Teams in U.S. Air Forces Europe came here and were ranked through competition in the 2009 USAFE Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Challenge June 22-26.

Six scenarios based on real-world hazardous material events challenged the responding teams from Aviano, Lakenheath, Ramstein, and Spangdahlem air bases along with a combined team from Incirlik and Lajes air bases in rodeo style competition.

"We challenged the participants' knowledge, skills, and expertise in executing CBRN response," said Senior Master Sgt. Melinda Patrick, USAFE Surgeon General bioenvironmental engineering manager.

The FSTR teams are USAFE assets that support the entire U.S. European Command.

"The skills used here are vital to EUCOM's mission," said Lt. Col. Wendy Klein, EUCOM Command Surgeon CBRN planner. "These Airmen give commanders the information they need to make decisions on how to protect people and allow the mission to continue in hazardous material situations."

Airmen on the FSTR teams used the latest Air Force provided equipment to detect and determine hazardous materials used in a terrorist bombing, dispersal of substances in living areas, a train accident, the bed down of a deployed unit, and more that could affect the EUCOM mission.

"The Airmen here demonstrate their teamwork and ability to use the equipment in a time-pressure environment," said Maj. Darrin Ott, chief of Risk Analysis Branch at the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks City Base, San Antonio.

"We observe the successes and additional requirements to take these lessons back to the school and improve the equipment and training," said Major Ott. "This was a great USAFE initiative that has been replicated across the Air Force."

USAFE began the annual CBRN challenge in 2005, and the event has since been replicated in other Major Commands. The top ranked team from here will represent USAFE in an Air Force level competition later this year.

"The scenarios are realistic and definitely challenging," said Staff Sgt. Vanessa Cifuentes, Incirlik-Lajes combined team member. "I've fully implemented my 10 years of training during this event."

"These scenarios are complex and definitely take us outside of the comfort level we have at our home base," said Maj. Steven Lange, Incirlik-Lajes team leader. "Every team member needs proficiency, but teamwork and communication are just as important on the scene."

The teams respond to an initial incident report for each scenario, but have no idea of exactly what they'll encounter when they begin to investigate, said Senior Master Sgt. Patrick.

"We've been really challenged to observe and analyze under pressure," said Capt. Edward Walters, Spangdahlem team leader. "We can't get stuck on preconceptions and have to connect each piece of evidence."

"I've really learned not to develop tunnel-vision," said Staff Sgt. Angelo Mejia, Spangdahlem team member. "Using the skills of the whole team has been our biggest factor in success."

Team Spangdahlem was recognized as champion of the 2009 USAFE CBRN Challenge. Team Ramstein was noted as runner-up.

Star Performer recognitions were given to Lakenheath Capt. Michael Skinner, bioenvironmental engineer; Lakenheath Airman Matthew Kindoll, bioenvironmental engineer enlisted; Ramstein Airman 1st Class Rachel Garner, emergency management enlisted.