Andersen Airmen ensure disaster preparedness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) --  For Airmen assigned to the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron's readiness and emergency management flight, being better safe than sorry is not just a cliché, it's their job. 

These Airmen make sure the base and its personnel are prepared to deal with disasters ranging from typhoons to hazardous materials accidents to the use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons.

This means not only planning for these incidents but knowing what to do when they occur. So, the flight conducts numerous training courses, including CBRNE defense, explosive ordnance reconnaissance and base emergency preparedness orientation. 

"We use our training as a deterrent so the enemy will know we can defend ourselves if they attack us with chemical or biological agents," said Airman 1st Class Nathan Woods, 36th CES readiness and emergency management flight logistics and resources.

Another critical responsibility of the flight is to respond on-scene as part of a mobile emergency operations center. The flight also maintains and staffs the emergency operations center, which is the main command and control center for any incident requiring base response. 

And, just because disasters aren't common, this doesn't mean they can't or won't happen. The recent crash of a B-2 Spirit bomber on the island was evidence enough for this fact.  

"Even though it was the most expensive accident in Air Force history, at least no lives were lost, and luckily it crashed where it did," Airman Blackwell said. "As it was, it didn't cause any additional damage to facilities or personnel in the surrounding areas, but it's entirely possible for another incident of this nature to occur in an area that's not so 'convenient.' People should [really] keep that in the back of their minds."

Airmen from the flight receive their technical training during a three-month course at the Chemical Defense Training Facility in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. During the training, the Airmen are put into contact with live nerve agents, which provides invaluable training to prepare them for their operational mission. 

Each of the Airmen also knows how important this mission is. If they don't do their job, the base and the people on it could be placed in serious jeopardy.

"The best part is helping people," Airman Blackwell said. "I always feel good after I teach a CBRNE defense survival skills class because I know that I'm giving people the tools they need to survive in a contaminated environment. If the things I teach people helps to save just one life, then to me, it's all worth it."