News>Air Force, Republic of Korea allies partner for potential CBRN attacks
Photos
Republic of Korea Air Force members show off a decontamination vehicle from their arsenal June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, during joint training with Pacific Air Forces bases. The training gave American and Korean Airmen the chance to discuss differences in training and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Master Sgt. Jeffrey Randall, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management flight superintendent, removes a wingman’s overboots as Republic of Korea Air Force members watch June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The joint training provides familiarization for both sides on how each other operates in case of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Master Sgt. Jeffrey Randall, right, and Staff Sgt. Ashley Bartlett, from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, demonstrate the two-person concept of processing through a contamination control area June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Several Pacific Air Forces base sent Airmen to the training so they could learn how the RoK Air Force operates. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Republic of Korea Air Force members from the 38th Fighter Group show off their decontamination aerial sprayer June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, during training with Airmen from several Pacific Air Forces bases. The larger-scale capability of decontaminating people and vehicles saves time after chemical attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Staff Sgt. Ashley Bartlett, right, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, decontaminates Master Sgt. Jeffrey Randall, 8th CES, during a demonstration of a contamination control area for Republic of Korea Air Force members June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Because U.S. and South Korean forces would work together during a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack, being familiar with the other’s equipment and procedures is important. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Master Sgt. Jeffrey Randall, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management flight superintendent, discusses the M-50 gas mask with Republic of Korea Air Force members from the 38th Fighter Group June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Because U.S. and South Korean forces would work together during a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack, being familiar with the other’s equipment and procedures is helpful. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airmen from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron demonstrate the proper way to process a contamination control area June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The joint training with Republic of Korea Air Force members helped them both understand what the other brings to the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force members talk about the differences in equipment during joint training June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The goal of the training was to become more familiar with how each group would respond during a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
A warning sign is retrieved after being ejected from a decontamination vehicle used by Republic of Korea Air Force members during training with Pacific Air Forces bases June 8, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The capability to detect contaminants without leaving a vehicle is a unique one for the ROKAF. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
by Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
6/14/2012 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- (AFNS) -- With the ever-present threat of North Korea so close, Pacific Air Forces and South Korean Airmen constantly train to respond to any potential attacks.
A combined workshop June 7 and 8 gave the allies a chance to strengthen their partnership through demonstrations of the equipment each side uses during chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) attacks.
"If something ever does go wrong, we can respond together and actually make it a joint environment versus saying 'this is what I'm doing and that's what you're doing,'" said Staff Sgt. Kendra Ketonen, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman. "We get the benefits of knowing what they have and what they can bring to the fight."
In addition to the Republic of Korea Air Force 38th Fighter Group and 8th CES from Kunsan, there were also attendees from several other PACAF base, including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
If North Korea were to make a move, Airmen from these bases would be called in to help defend resources here.
"If we need to work together, we'll understand and better know how to make connections," said Senior Master Sgt. Jerome Dubose, 7th Air Force CBRN manager for Korea from Osan Air Base. "In many cases, our Korean partners have the lead so if there's a war, it behooves us to coordinate with them."
Like much of their joint training and exercises, a translator was on hand to make sure explanations and discussions were as helpful and thorough as possible.
During the workshop, the Americans and Koreans each provided familiarization of the equipment and procedures they use when responding to an attack.
The Americans gave a detailed walk-through of their contamination control area. The Koreans showed off their decontamination aerial sprayer, which works like a car wash and allows people and vehicles to be 'deconned' more quickly.
"We can help each other out to defend this base," said 1st Lt. Jinki Kim from the 38th FG. He added that much of the equipment and training used for decontaminating is the same.
Throughout the training, one point from both sides was emphasized: working together helps the partnership grow and ensures we are prepared to respond to any situation.
