Traditional chemical warfare training gets new look Published March 6, 2008 By Senior Airman Chris Bolen 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., -- Grissom personnel are experiencing a drastic change to the Air Force chemical warfare training program. The Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives refresher course has been split into a two-part program. In January, the classroom portion of the CBRNE refresher class was discontinued. In its place is a new on-line training module called CBRNE Defense Awareness Course, with a follow-on, hands on activity known as CBRNE Defense Survival Skills Course. "The basic theory behind the new format is the use of blended learning," explains Oakah Hays, Grissom's Emergency Management Program manager. This change is expected to improve personnel readiness and skills retention over just a class room refresher as performed in the past Mr. Hays continued. "Using an online training module, personnel are expected to learn the basic actions needed to perform in a contaminated environment, then demonstrate them," he said. "This is a step up from previous training because it does a better job of honing skills through the demonstration and practice of actions." "There is no more classroom training for CBRNE Warfare Defense Training," he explained. "Following completion of the on-line awareness module, individuals will have a time period of just four UTAs in which to complete the second part, the skills demonstration module." Currently there is a classroom session where the online module is demonstrated, but this is only temporary because of Advance Distributed Learning Services (ADLS) technical difficulties. After the online module is fully up and running and people are familiarized with it, personnel will come in for the skills demonstration only. "This will be on a 20 month cycle," said Mr. Hays. "It is important to remember that the online awareness course module is required by every member of the Air Force," he emphasized. "However, the defense skills module is only required for those either stationed in or susceptible to deployment to medium or high threat areas." "Everyone should pay close attention to AFI 10-2501 which spells out the basics for this training and lists the equipment and other requirements," stated Mr. Hays. "People should be prepared for the training by keeping their equipment in good shape," Mr. Hays continued. "The skills module is good at finding the shortfalls in an individual's ability to perform the tasks in a contaminated environment." When asked about this revised emphasis on CBRNE training and why we train this way, Mr. Hays was emphatic. "Because it is Air Force doctrine which sets up the worst case scenario for personnel to perform in," he said. "Threats change constantly and we have to be able to meet those and any new threats. Skills proficiency and performance must be developed over time. " "You cannot spin up everyone overnight," he said. "By keeping a certain basic level of performance we can stay ready to step up and meet any potential future threats, in accordance with Air Force doctrine."
