Bioenvironmental: Keeping MHAFB Hazard-Free Published March 1, 2019 By Airman Nicholas Swift 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Keeping Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing in top health isn’t just a job for the active duty clinic. The heavy roar of F-15E Strike Eagle engines, the fuels and chemicals that put aircraft into airspace, and the bright fire shooting from the after burners; these are all examples of potential health hazards within the workplace. The 366th Aerospace Medical Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering office tests the health of the environment around Mountain Home AFB to ensure that the area is safe for all Gunfighters. “Bioenvironmental Engineering is a preventative health function,” says Staff Sergeant Allen Burright, 366th AMDS NCO in charge of environmental health program. “We’re going out preventatively trying to focus on Gunfighter health, keeping them on the flight line and in their work sections. We do that through identifying, assessing and controlling any health threats, potential hazards on the job. Just making sure they’re safe, and comfortable in their working, and living environment.” Bioenvironmental technicians use different types of equipment, environmental samples and surveys to protect the Gunfighters in three aspects of their environment: industrial hygiene, environmental health and readiness. “It’s protecting people overall, and making sure that when their careers are over they don’t have things that were caused during their jobs that affect them when they get out,” said Airman First Class Amanda Mathes-Orr, 366th AMDS bioenvironmental engineering technician. “No day is the same. You’re running into different things, and you have to learn how to solve it so there is a lot of critical thinking.” Whether it’s a single year spent in the Air Force or a twenty five year career, bioenvironmental engineers and technicians work to ensure the safety of Gunfighter Airmen in their work place, their homes on base and their health after the Air Force.