"During our training, we have the opportunity to get to know our whole team," said Holmes, an Air Guard nurse assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing, and CERFP member.
"Our practice has helped us to become a cohesive unit in case a CBRNE incident ever occurred."
After more than a year training to react to a CBRNE attack or incident, the CERFP spent May 21-25 at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Butlerville, Ind., validating with observer controller teams from the Joint Interagency Training and Education Center based in West Virginia.
Some of Kentucky's senior enlisted members watched as the CBRNE team completed the walk phase of their CERFP evaluation.
"The CERFP team displayed professionalism and teamwork as they worked side by side to complete the overall mission," said Command Sgt. Maj. David P. Munden, Senior Enlisted Advisor at Joint Force Headquarters.
"It is good to see Kentucky's National Guard working together."
The Air Force and Army Guardsmen worked together from the very beginning of their CERFP training. For a lot of Soldiers and Airmen alike, this was their first time working together
"Before this training, I had never worked with the Air Force component before," said Pfc. Crystal Belcher, CBRNE specialist with the 103rd Chemical Battalion.
The CERFP is broken into teams, with the Air Guard providing medical personnel and the Army Guard providing the search and rescue. Both teams work together for decontamination.
"It is a lot of fun to work with my Army counterparts," said Airman 1st Class Samantha Crump, a dental tech with the 123rd Airlift Wing, "Both services train in different ways, so when we come together, it is a good time to learn from each other and make our selves better as a team."
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