100th CES Emergency Management teach vital skills

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear training is a vital program in the Air Force.

The Airmen from the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness Emergency Management Flight ensure the base and personnel are equipped with the basic skills in the event of a CBRN attack.

"There are hazards and situations that the Air Force faces on a daily basis, and the need for a program to deal with these hazards is essential to mission continuation and safety of all personnel," said Airman 1st Class Steven Carroll, 100th CES EM apprentice.

CBRN classes are held here a minimum of once per week and are required for all military in a "deployable" status.

The class teaches Airmen the basic concepts and procedures to ensure themselves, their work centers, assets and fellow Airmen are prepared and protected against the threat of CBRN materials, along with how to operate searches and report the findings.

"The most important factor this class has to offer is to ensure that all personnel going through have a full understanding of how to care for and don their protective equipment," said Staff Sgt. Bernard Cobb, 100th CES EM education and training NCO in charge. "In the event of a CBRN material release, personnel will need to quickly and efficiently don their protective equipment. Even the slightest mistake or exposure could result in serious injury or fatality."


Airmen can be scheduled for a CBRN class through their individual unit scheduler.

With seven qualified instructors able to teach the course and a recent analysis showing the need for more classes, EM is implementing a new process and schedule that will allow them to hold about seven classes per month. The increased training will allow Airmen to better learn how to protect the Air Force as a whole.

"Without this course, the Air Force could potentially lose thousands of personnel and millions of dollars in assets due to poor preparation under the threat of CBRN material release," said Cobb.