Airmen help Soldiers, South Korea military in joint training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) --  Osan Air Base was tested March 10, when South Korea and U.S. military branches banded together in a multi-service, multi-cultural, chemical detection and decontamination exercise scenario here during Beverly Midnight 16-01.

In the scenario, a Humvee and a Patriot missile launcher from the 5th Air Defense Artillery Brigade were in transit and suspected of being contaminated.

“We’ve been setting up this scenario for about two months now,” said Tech. Sgt. Emily Martin, the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency manager and lead inspection team member for the scenario. “The teams responded well and aided in the detection and quick decontamination of the equipment.”

After sweeping affected vehicles for chemical contamination, South Korea military chemical management teams guided the vehicles to mobile decontamination pressure washers.

“We had bioenvironmental, medical, emergency management and (South Korea) forces out to make this event happen,” Martin said. “Everyone worked so well together; it appeared seamless. I’m definitely proud to see how well it all was handled.”

This marked a first time the specific scenario was evaluated at Osan AB. The assets had never been used in conjunction with the personnel involved.

“Scenarios like this help us work better together,” said Senior Master Sgt. Frank Roman, a 51st CES readiness and emergency management flight chief. “It’s important for us to have a strong relationship with our Korean and sister service partners. Nothing but good can come from the results of this scenario and I’m very excited our team was able to facilitate and contribute to this occasion.”

The scenario ended after South Korean members, who sprayed down the vehicles, processed through a contamination control point.

“(Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense) is a unique specialty that can be overlooked, however, these warriors relish the opportunity to sharpen their skillset and test their abilities,” said Master Sgt. Angel Peraza, the 51st CES readiness and emergency management superintendent.