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Airmen train for upcoming exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrick Mitchell
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  Airmen of the 20th Fighter Wing participated in an Ability to Survive and Operate "rodeo" in hangar 1200, April 19, 2011.

The 20th Civil Engineering Squadron took the lead in preparing for the rodeo, which consisted of three sessions with between 200 to 250 participants per session. The rodeo prepared Shaw Airmen for the Phase I and Phase II exercise, which is scheduled to take place during the first week of May.

Subject matter experts from the 20th CES' explosive ordinance disposal unit, 20th Medical Group and 20th Security Forces Squadron aided in the rodeo by refreshing Airman on deployment readiness concerns, such as unexploded ordnance, self-aid and buddy care and reporting procedures.

"One of the reasons for the ATSO rodeo is for Airmen to get re-familiarization with the transition processes and the use of their Airman's Manual to identify ordinance," said 2nd Lt. Kyle Boomer, 20th CES readiness flight officer. "In addition to the re-familiarization training, the goal for the rodeo was to also educate Airmen on chemical gear and the ability to (survive in) a chemical environment."

Being prepared for both Phase I and Phase II are vital to the success of the exercise, said Staff Sgt. Shannon Parker, 20th CES readiness and emergency management.. Some ways to get ready for the Phase I and II are to look over and accomplish all training requirements, read over your Airman's Manual and have your gear prepared and ready to go.

Many Airmen learned just how fast you have to don the Mission-Oriented Protective Posture gear: eight minutes, an Air Force standard.

"It was a good experience with all the refreshers," said Senior Airman Nicole Brown, 20th Mission Support Group knowledge operations manager. "I also noticed that I was quicker with assembling my gear. I used to put on my gear very slowly, but the training helped me move more quickly."

While many Airmen might think a chemical attack might not happen to them, it is always best to be prepared.

"Take it seriously," Sergeant Parker said. "Just because you don't hear about chemical attacks and the use of ATSO doesn't mean you will never have to use it."