Shovel, Hydrate, Gas, All Clear

VOLK FIELD, Wis.. -- Members of the 403rd Wing arriving here were greeted with their first official task of the deployment -- filling sandbags. Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Baldelli, NCOIC, 403rd Services Flight, got a little more than her share on the shovel filling six sandbags before she was able to hand it off to the next person. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Michael Duhe)

Shovel, Hydrate, Gas, All Clear

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Reservists of the 815th Airlift Squadron took time before a May exercise at Volk Field, Wis. to catch up on their Mission Oriented Protective Posture familiarization. Donning aircrew ensembles, nearly 20 people processed through a Containment Air Processing System set up outside the squadron. The CAPS is a series of stations used in a chemical environment to minimize the possibility of contamination when Airmen exit a contaminated area and need to remove their MOPP gear. At each station an attendant assists and provides guidance on how to remove the gear. Lt. Col. Brian Freeman prepares to remove his chemical protective mask with help from Senior Airman Johnny Woodland, a loadmaster with the unit. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lindsay Boggan)

Shovel, Hydrate, Gas, All Clear

VOLK FIELD, Wis. -- Hydrate -- Hydrate -- Hydrate! Airmen who travelled to Volk Field for training in April got used to the "giant voice" over the public address system calling out this important reminder at least once an hour and then even more frequently as the Mission Oriented Protective Posture Levels increased. Chaplain (Maj.) Ray Thompson, wearing the latest ORI fashions in eyewear and body armor, takes a big swig from his canteen early in the training. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Maj. Chad Gibson)

Shovel, Hydrate, Gas, All Clear: Reservists Learn Combat Survival Skills

Published June 14, 2007
By Tech.Sgt. Michael Duhe
403rd Wing

VOLK FIELD, WIs. -- Upon arriving at Volk Field, Wis., the Citizen Airmen of the 403rd Wing team quickly settled into practicing their skills at operating in a combat environment.

The first order of business was filling two sandbags each. For the next two days, they "set up shop" and attended training courses, including Self-aid and Buddy Care and Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance.

"I thought the EOR training was very helpful," said Chaplain (Capt.) Tim Broughton, after attending one of the sessions. "It covered a lot of the information included in computer-based training and the Airman's Manual, and other things I didn't know."

The exercise officially began in the early morning hours of April 18. With exercise participants in place, the "giant voice" announced MOPP 2, sending Reservists scrambling to don their chem warfare gear.

Other challenging simulations followed throughout the day: the loss of primary operating locations to a bomb threat, an aircraft crash, a sniper threat and chemical attacks leading to MOPP 4.

One familiar face among the cadre was Chief Master Sgt. Ron Holtorf, wing command chief, who served as cadre advisor for the 403rd Wing. In addition to acting as a liaison between the 403rd and cadre, he also assisted unit members with issues such as shift scheduling and lodging.

"I think we'll have a good baseline for what we need to work on," the chief said after day one. "Communication is one area we need to stress. The EOC needs all the input they can get. We have to get people to understand that.

"Also, there's a perception from the old days that you stay in black for so long because that's what the inspectors want. But, the sooner the UCC gets information, the sooner you'll get out of your mask.

"All-in-all, I think this will give us a good point to self assess," he said.