60th CES launches new, improved CBRNE class

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Civil Engineer Squadron's Emergency Management flight recently instituted new and improved changes to their Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Explosives Defense Survival Skills training course to help enhance and standardize CBRNE training throughout the Air Force.

"By standardizing the training, every Airman will have the same knowledge, standard and readiness," said Staff Sgt. Tabitha Reisdorf, 60th CES' Emergency Management Training NCOIC.

Under the old training format, Airmen attended a three-hour formal lecture followed by a brief familiarization with the protective equipment.

The new training format requires the student to put into practice what they learned in the CBRNE Awareness Web-based training, accessible through the Advanced Distributed Learning System.

"There's no longer instruction or slides on what to do, so pay attention when taking the CBRNE Awareness Web-based training," Sergeant Reisdorf said.

According to Master Sgt. Daniel Wyrick, 60th CES Emergency Management, the old format has been completely erased in favor of a more hands-on style.

"The new format will focus on getting the students to show a better sense of urgency, to study and use their Airman's Manual more, as well as emphasizing the importance of wearing their chemical warfare gear properly," he said.

In addition, students will have to demonstrate what they have learned before, during and after a mock CBRNE attack.

"By taking them out of the classroom and onto the 'battlefield,' will hopefully stress to the students the importance of paying attention during the Web-based training and not to just click through it," Sergeant Reisdorf said. "It also helps reminds the students what a valuable tool their Airman's Manual truly is."

While the instructors are determined to create an enjoyable atmosphere, they will ensure they convey the seriousness of the course.

"[CBRNE] training is vitally important when Airmen reach the battlefield," Sergeant Reisdorf said. "By putting more emphasis on applying the knowledge gained from both the CBRNE Awareness Web-base training and the Airman's Manual, we can ensure that every Airman has the required defense survival skills and can successful prepare, survive and recover from an enemy attack."