Readiness troops break new ground at Iraqi base

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Minka Stoyanov
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) --  Setting up shop at Tallil Air Base, Iraq has the very first civil engineer readiness troops in-country working around the clock and setting milestones for their career field.

Readiness teams employ the Air Force's full spectrum threat response plan to prepare the base for any attack or disaster, from chemical attacks to major accidents. The readiness team works with base agencies and commanders to determine how the base can best respond to disaster and continue the mission.

They also set up an automated network of chemical/biological detectors throughout the base to promptly warn airmen of an attack by weapons of mass destruction. The flight is on duty around the clock, with at least three of the team ready to rapidly respond.

Tech. Sgt. Chuck Newcomb, deployed here from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, summarized the CE readiness mission: "Our responsibility here is to ensure the survivability of the base. We do this by warning and reporting as well as keeping commanders informed of the dynamic threat to this base," he said.

"What we're doing here is going to be talked about at our school house at Fort Leonard Wood for years to come," said Master Sgt. Jerry Chandler, 407th Air Expeditionary Group readiness flight superintendent. "We're probably the first team in a long time to actually practice our goal of base survivability in an actual combat zone. What we're learning will really add to the career field," he said.

At Tallil, the readiness team has learned new techniques and concepts by working daily alongside the Army's Chemical Corps and British troops. "It's been challenging working with coalition forces in this environment," said Tech. Sgt. Ken Spears, deployed here from Moody AFB, Ga.

"The biggest challenge has been understanding the different missions of the many forces assigned to Tallil Air Base, Newcomb said. "But even if there's no common language, we all understand survival," he said.