CBRNE training is streamlined

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tom Czerwinski
  • PACAF Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  The Air Force will usher in a new web-based training class to help Airmen complete their mandatory training for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive objectives.

The new CBRNE class will be available through the Air Force Portal and the Advanced Distributed Learning System (ADLS) beginning Oct 1. This new computer-based training will help streamline learning objectives by eliminating classroom instruction and allow Airmen to train at an optimum time prior to deploying.

"This falls in line with Gen. Moseley's initiative to make all ancillary training web-based, but CBRNE training is considered a mobility war skill, so there will still be the hands-on portion in addition to the web-based class," said Senior Master Sgt. Roger Smith, Pacific Air Forces Emergency Services Branch.

The new CBRNE awareness instruction will consist of seven training modules.
Airmen can expect the online class to take between two and four hours depending on an Airman's prior knowledge and familiarization with CBRNE.

"The modules are not timed, and as an added feature there is a pre-test for each module giving the taker an opportunity to 'test out' of that particular objective," said Sergeant Smith. "One comment we have had from Airmen over the past years is the fact that nothing new was being taught, and it's all routine information, so that is where the pre-test option will be of value," he said.

The new CBRNE training will still include the initial chemical warfare training all Airmen are accustomed to, but more time will be spent on practical applications like IED and UXO identification, contamination avoidance and decontamination procedures.

The knowledge information can be accomplished at a member's own time and pace, according to Sergeant Smith.

"Once the Airman has completed the web-based instruction, then the Unit Deployment Manager or Unit Training Manager will determine when CBRNE survival skills hands-on training should be scheduled, based on projected deployment requirements," he added.

Here at Osan, the new online CBRNE training will be incorporated into existing training, preparing Airmen for their tour in Korea.

"Osan is considered a high threat area and personnel who will PCS here will be required to complete the new online CBRNE Awareness Course prior to arriving on station," said Airman 1st Class Johanna Seelig, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron readiness flight. "Within 60 days of arriving on station, personnel are then required to attend a theater specific briefing on CBRNE Awareness."

The new CBRNE program offers a lot of benefits to members deploying or PCSing to a high-threat area such as Korea.

"I feel that if we can work with the individual's previous base to ensure the online CBRNE Awareness Course is completed prior to arriving to a high threat area, as the guidance dictates, then the new process will be easy to implement and will reduce the amount of time students sit through the CRBNE Defense Awareness training prior to deploying or PCSing," said Airman Seelig.

The Civil Engineer Readiness and Emergency Management flight at each Air Force installation will implement the program starting in Oct 1.

For more information on the CBRNE training and awareness, contact the 51st CES readiness flight at DSN: 784-1348.