Red Dragons Go Green for the Day to get Chemical Certification

USAG HUMPHREYS, South Korea -- The 501st Military Intelligence Brigade put on Operation Green Dragon to certify and impart confidence in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) leaders throughout the brigade in the event of a chemical attack, at Camp Humphreys on Oct. 31.

The Soldiers taking part in the training completed a three part process based on the brigade's CBRN Mission Essential Task Lists (METL) which allowed them to train on the CBRN tasks in a realistic training environment; while also certifying the brigade's CBRN representatives and CBRN decontamination teams.

"The first step they will be going through today is the CS (tear gas) chamber, followed by five stations based on the CBRN METL tasks," said Capt. James Choi, brigade CBRN officer. "After that [while wearing full MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) level 4 personal protective equipment (PPE)] they will be conducting a 1.2 mile foot march to the MPTR (or Multi-Purpose Training Range) where they will go through detailed troop decontamination and detailed equipment decontamination, which will complete their exercise."

Choi explained that a group from 3rd Battalion would also be completing aircraft decontamination training. These Soldiers partnered with a small contingent of CBRN Soldiers from 2nd Infantry Division received training on decontamination procedures for aircraft.

2nd Lt. Aprielle Peltier, hazardous assessment platoon leader, 2nd CBRN Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, served as one of the observer/trainers.

"It was really nice to see Soldiers that weren't necessarily CBRN MOS (Military Occupational Specialties) out here getting after CBRN tasks and aircraft decon and doing an excellent job at those tasks," said Peltier. "The purpose of today's training was to integrate our unit from 2nd CBRN with 501st to get them trained and proficient on the tasks of aircraft decon. So if in the future there is an incident, and an aircraft does become contaminated, we will be ready to receive that aircraft and process the personnel to ensure they are clean and safe."

She also expressed interest in working with 3rd Battalion again in the future to continue to increase her Soldiers proficiency with aircraft decontamination.

501st's Brigade CBRN Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Sgt. 1st Class Kendricks Fields said he felt the training went well and was surprised at the turnout.

"We had 205 Soldiers trained during this event, "said Fields. "That means the battalions are supporting the training, and we met the commander's intent of certifying decontamination teams across the brigade."

Maj. Michael Aptaker, commander of the Special Service Detachment, who participated in the training said, "The Green Dragon exercise provided the Special Service Detachment, and all of 501st MI Brigade, an opportunity to train and practice a critical task that would support survivability in the event of a chemical or biological attack. My detachment is more confident in our ability to quickly and effectively protect ourselves thanks to this outstanding brigade training event, ensuring we're ready to 'fight tonight!'"

The 501st Military Intelligence Brigade provides indications and early warning of actions by opposing forces who could threaten the tense, but stable, peace in the Republic of Korea. In the event of hostilities, the brigade's mission shifts to providing combined, multi-discipline intelligence and force protection support to the United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command, the CFC Ground Component Command and their subordinate units.