OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- During times of crises, contingencies and exercises like Beverly Midnight 16-01, there are teams here to ensure Airmen are safe and secure from possible contamination threats.
Shelter management teams are entry controllers to key buildings around the base that have a collective protection system. They ensure Airmen who need access to the building are authorized and free of contaminants before granting entry.
CPS buildings provide protection against chemical and biological contamination by filtering incoming air and over pressurizing the air exiting the facility. This, along with proper controlled contamination points, prevents contaminants from entering the facility.
The SMT program is managed by the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management flight, which provides required training to Airmen assigned to SMTs.
“We’re here to smooth along the process for people entering the facility,” said Tech. Sgt. Raphael Simmons, SMT member and 51st Fighter Wing command chief master sergeant aide. “Entry and exit procedures are pretty simple, but if someone is contaminated, they might panic. Our teams ensure people follow the right processes and procedures in order to prevent contamination of the facility.”
Before receiving training from emergency management, individuals must complete a series of four computer-based training modules that cover various parts of being on the SMT.
“The CBTs focus on everything from the use of short-range contamination detectors to emergency management,” said Simmons. “The emergency management training class focuses more on the specific functions of being part of an SMT and takes more of a hands-on approach.”
SMTs are sentries of the CPS facilities. They guard the entry to a safe haven, free from possible contaminants on the outside.
“Being responsible for an entry-control point isn’t new to me,” said Simmons, who is a security forces defender by trade. “We’re going to protect this building to the best of our ability and ensure our building is safe and secure, whether it’s real-world or exercising our capabilities.”
However, protecting the building and ensuring its proper function is on only part of the equation.
“I hope the people who work here feel safe that our main priority is their safety and security,” said Master Sgt. Ralph Warner, 51st Fighter Wing SMT chief. “It feels good to know we have a role in actively protecting the Airmen in our building.”