FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. (May 9, 2014) -- Soldiers assigned to the 128th Chemical Company, 728th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard conducted confidence training as part of the units annual training here May 9, 2014.
The training differed from what most think of conventional training, as the chemical, biological, radiological and neurological Soldiers with the 128th utilized a gas chamber as part of their training.
"Today we conducted gas chamber training," said Pfc. Vincent Gallagher, a chemical operations specialist with 128th Chemical Company. "It's mainly to make sure that your protective mask works so you can trust your equipment when you go down range."
The protective mask protects Soldiers from breathing airborne pollutants, biological agents, radiological fallout particles and toxins by forming a sealed cover of the face.
The CBRN noncommissioned officers inspected each Soldier's mask, ensuring proper mask wear and seal. The Soldiers also received instruction on entering and exiting the chamber before the start of training.
"We got into squads, and the [noncommissioned officers in charge] briefed us on how to go through the gas chamber," said Gallagher, who calls Philadelphia home.
The NCOs in charge of the range prepared the chamber by lighting a small fire and heating tablets of tear gas, which layer the interior of the chamber in thick white haze.
"We went in, put on our protective masks and made sure our seal was nice and tight. Then we pulled off our mask breathed in some of the air and re-sealed our masks and then we were assured our gear was working properly," remarked Gallagher.
After the Soldiers cleared and sealed their masks, they completely removed their masks, exposing themselves to a full dose of the tear gas.
"I've done this a few times," said Gallagher, his eyes still watering from the gas.
"It doesn't get easier," he laughed.
The mask training and exposure to tear gas provides the Soldiers with first-hand experience preparing them for real-world situations.
"As [chemical, biological, radiological and neurological] specialists, we're trained to handle [hazardous material] incidents," said Pfc. Aerianna Bright, also a chemical specialist assigned to 128th Chemical Company. "If there was a chemical related incident, we could 'recon' the area and then take samples of debris or objects on site and remove any hazmat from the area and decontaminate any contaminate areas and people if need be."
"It'll be real agents down there," said Gallagher, speaking about deploying. "It won't be tear gas, it'll be something worse. You want to be sure your equipment works effectively."
Bright, also from Philadelphia, said the training allows for the individual Soldier the ability to aid other Soldiers, if needed.
The 128th Chemical Company Soldiers will continue to train for the duration of annual training, partnering with other CBRN response agencies and units in support of Vigilant Guard, an emergency preparedness exercise hosted by the Pennsylvania National Guard
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/129443/chemical-soldiers-conduct-training-fort-indiantown-gap#ixzz31zXkhILJ
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