BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan--A mobile training team consisting of two Department of the Army civilian hazardous materials trainers recently deployed to Afghanistan and Kuwait to teach several 80-hour Ammo-62 Technical Transportation of Hazardous Materials courses to military and civilian personnel at several sites in Southwest Asia.
The team was sent by the Defense Ammunition Center at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant to provide detailed technical information pertaining to all phases of transportation for hazardous materials. Students completing the course receive a two-year certification entitling them to certify hazardous materials for safe shipment.
"The Department of Transportation requires training in shipping hazardous materials," said James R. Dupree, instructor from Fort Polk, La. "The Department of Defense established this course so units can have certifiers for hazardous materials transportation."
Some of the hazardous materials are obvious such as fuel cans, explosives, ammunition, batteries, helium, and fire extinguishers, but hand sanitizer is also a hazardous material said Dupree.
"We teach safety, packaging, segregating items and documentation," said Joe D. Torres, instructor from Fort Hood, Texas.
The class is very important for units preparing to redeploy and take their equipment with them.
"Units have to have somebody certified to move their hazmat out of here," Dupree said.
"It's a compacted course with a lot of information," said Sgt. Peter D. Webb, ammunition specialist with A Company, 400 Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. "The instructors are very knowledgeable and the class is enjoyable."
Webb said he can receive college credit and promotion points for completing the course, but he hopes it will make a difference when he submits his Warrant Officer package.
The class is also important for those who routinely ship hazardous materials as part of their jobs.
"This is a job requirement," said William Pickens, hazmat specialist and transportation coordinator supporting AFSBn-Bagram, 401st Army Field Support Brigade. "It's very comprehensive and the instructors take time to be sure everyone understands the material."
Suzzanne McKenzie, transportation coordinator supporting AFSBn-Bagram, 401st AFSB, said taking the course is a job requirement for her too.
"I know I need it," she said. "I'm very confident in what I'm learning."
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