Readiness flight offers ATSO tips for ORI

Published Dec. 6, 2007
By Senior Airman Brain Stives
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- With Sharpshooter Exercise 08-02 beginning Dec. 17 to prepare Gunfighters for the operational readiness inspection in March, members of the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness flight have come up with ability to survive and operate newsletters to help everyone get through their shifts alive.

"As we approach the upcoming ORI, increased emphasis is being placed on the details of surviving in a hostile environment," said James Morton, 366th CES plans and operations flight wing exercise evaluation team. "Many Gunfighters have been to specialized training provided by our flight to sharpen their ATSO skills (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and enhanced conventional weapons, post attack reconnaissance, and unit control center classes). In an attempt to focus the players on the details of the upcoming ORI challenges, we are going to distribute ATSO information newsletters with critical pieces of information within them."

Personal Chemical Defense
M-9 tape is worn on the clothing on the upper forearm, wrists and ankles or attached to vehicles or equipment. M-9 paper contains sensitive dyes, which change color in the presence of liquid chemical agents. Color changes identify if agents are present, but not the agent type. Liquid agent positive indicators include pink, any shade of red, red-brown and red-purple.

M-8 paper detects G-series and V-series nerve agents and H- and L-blister agents only in the liquid form. Color indications are as follows:
· Gold or yellow means a G-series nerve agent is present
· Red or pink means an H-or L-series blister agent is present
· Blue or dark green means a V-series nerve agent is present

M-8 paper is placed on liquid detection stations located throughout the base and on vehicles or equipment during pre-attack actions.

Placement of M-8 paper on vehicles - Place on upper corners of the windshield and the center of the front and back bumpers, specifically non-porous surfaces.

Placement of M-8 paper on equipment - Place on equipment surfaces, first and second layers of plastic sheeting on covered assets.

Placement of M-8 paper on liquid detection stations - Placed on a horizontal surface. Ensure the stations are placed in the open and are in clear visible view, preferably on concrete surfaces. They should be placed approximately 10 to 20 feet from the facilities.

Personal Decontamination
The M291 decontamination applicator pad is capable of decontaminating chemical agents from the surface of the skin, clothing, masks, gloves, small equipment items and weapons.

The M295 decontamination mitt is used for immediate decontamination of the mask, over-garment, large equipment items, weapons and tools. Keep the decontamination powder out of eyes, cuts and wounds. Treat used M291 or M295 supplies as contaminated waste.

Contamination Control Area Procedures
Personnel that have contamination on their M-9 or have been in a contaminated area for more than four hours must contact their unit control centers, which will direct them to the designated contamination control area. Personnel will arrive at the CCA entrance to receive initial instructions from CCA assistants. The stations in the CCA are as follows:
· Station One: external equipment removal area
· Station Two: mask wipe and hood removal area
· Station Three: overboot removal and protective over garment removal areas
· Station Four: glove removal, mask monitoring and removal areas.

For more information on ATSO training, call the CES readiness flight at 828-2191.

Levels of Chemical Decontamination

Readiness flight offers ATSO tips for ORI

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