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Grissom Airmen get new, improved gas masks

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin
  • 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Wearing a gas mask is not known to be a very pleasant, but a new piece of gear might help to improve that experience.

The 434th Mission Support Group bioenvironmental engineering team fitted Airmen for new M50 Joint Service General Purpose Masks during the January unit training assembly here.

"It's a vast improvement over the old masks," said Jackie Mantravadi, 434th MSG chief of bioenvironmental engineering services.

The new mask replaces the older MCU 2A/P gas mask and has improved features.

The M50 uses two smaller air filter canisters compared to the previous mask, which used one large canister. This is beneficial because if one canister needs to be removed, the other can still be used for breathing.

Damon Spradlin, 434th MSG environmental health technician, said the two canisters balance the weight better, and their smaller size allows for easier aiming of a weapon.

The M50 fits a wider range of sizes, allows for better vision and provides improved comfort, added Mantravadi.

The new mask also provides some new conveniences.

It has a built-in second skin that creates the seal, so Airmen no longer have to attach a separate piece before wearing it. Vision inserts now fit into the mask instead of having to be worn on the head, and the position of the drinking tube can be moved inside the mask.

The comfort factor and increased visibility is what Spradlin said he likes most about the M50.

Airmen trying out the new mask had good things to say about it as well.

"They're a lot better than the ones we used in basic," said Airman 1st Class Michael McNally, 434th Maintenance Squadron KC-135R crew chief.

Spradlin said he will send out e-mails to supervisors over the coming months to tell them when their Airmen are ready to be fitted. Their goal is to have all Grissom Airmen fitted for the new masks by this spring.

The 434th Air Refueling Wing is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer