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HomeNews101st Airborne Division soldiers conduct Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense exercise

101st Airborne Division soldiers conduct Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense exercise

Written by Sgt. Quentin Johnson
211th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

U.S. Department of the ArmyMuscatatuck Urban Training Center, IN – In keeping with the spirit of Soldier readiness, members of Echo Forward Support Company, 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, conducted Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense training at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, August 14th, 2016.

Training introduced Soldiers to the M50 – Joint Service General Purpose Mask and basic CBRN decontamination procedures, said Staff Sgt. Chad Field, a platoon sergeant with the FSC and native of Missoula, Montana. The M50 replaced the U.S. M40 Field Protective Mask.

(left) Spc. Gary Allen, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, Yuba City, California native, and (right) Pfc. Joseph Kirkman, a Construction Equipment Repairer, and Greensboro, North Carolina native, both with Echo Forward Support Company, 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, simulate decontaminating fellow FSC Soldier, Pfc. Ashton Barrell, (Carter) a motor transport operator and Evansville, Indiana native, during a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense training exercise at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Indiana, Aug. 14, 2016. (Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 211th MPAD)
(left) Spc. Gary Allen, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, Yuba City, California native, and (right) Pfc. Joseph Kirkman, a Construction Equipment Repairer, and Greensboro, North Carolina native, both with Echo Forward Support Company, 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, simulate decontaminating fellow FSC Soldier, Pfc. Ashton Barrell, (Carter) a motor transport operator and Evansville, Indiana native, during a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense training exercise at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Indiana, Aug. 14, 2016. (Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 211th MPAD)

“The (M50) mask is new to our Soldiers,” added Field, “We need them to be familiar with their equipment and prepared for CBRN threats they may encounter on a mission.”

A convoy mission scenario, including driving with the mask and having to simulate decontaminating themselves, was added to the training for a more realistic and hands-on experience.

“These Soldiers have driven a lot, but never in an uncomfortable situation,” said Field. “The more complexity in the scenario, the more real it will feel.”

FSC Soldiers where thankful for the training’s real-world experience and the effective use of the mask.

Soldiers with Echo Forward Support Company, 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, conduct a simulated supply pickup operation during a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense training exercise at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Indiana, Aug. 14, 2016. Company E leaders used the exercise to introduce their Soldiers to a new piece of equipment, the M50 – Joint Service General Purpose Mask, which replaced the US Military’s M40 Field Protective Mask. (Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 211th MPAD)
Soldiers with Echo Forward Support Company, 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, conduct a simulated supply pickup operation during a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense training exercise at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Indiana, Aug. 14, 2016. Company E leaders used the exercise to introduce their Soldiers to a new piece of equipment, the M50 – Joint Service General Purpose Mask, which replaced the US Military’s M40 Field Protective Mask. (Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 211th MPAD)

“My team worked very well together, and the training has helped better prepare us for future missions or exercises,” said Spc. Gary Allen, a wheeled vehicle mechanic and a FSC squad leader.

Allen said he really enjoyed how improved the equipment was, which made training a lot easier.

“It is easier to breathe in the mask compared to the (M40), my visibility was greater and the built-in straw is set in a better place than the older one,” added Allen, a Yuba City, California native.

Field said the FSC will continue to increase the intensity and complexity of CBRN training in future exercises.

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