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Two squadrons train for readiness

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Samantha Mathison
  • 433rd Airlift Wing

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 433rd Operations Support Squadron set up a decontamination line here Nov. 8, and processed two 68th Airlift Squadron Airmen through the line for mutual training.

The purpose of a decontamination line is to safely remove toxic substances quickly and efficiently from an individual or groups of people, in the case of a hazardous material accident or biological warfare.

According to Master Sgt. Mark Fisher, 433rd OSS aircrew flight equipment chief, they use volunteers from the 68th AS because students going through aircrew training are required to know decontamination procedures, as well.

Four stations are set up in a line where AFE technicians, while wearing protective gear, determine if an Airman requires decontamination and then proceed to safely remove all contaminated items from the Airman.

AFE technicians determine if an Airman requires decontamination by inspecting M9 paper attached to the outside of their clothing.

Fisher said they perform this exercise every quarter to maintain the readiness of Airmen from both squadrons.