USAF, ROKAF train to fight together

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Haas
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  ROK and U.S. air forces demonstrated their chemical attack response capabilities during a simulated chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear attack exercise at Kunsan AB, June 5, 2013.

The joint CBRN exercise fostered a stronger partnership between Wolf Pack Airmen and the ROK air force CBRN unit on base.

"This exercise was different from others because we specifically conducted it without the rest of the base agencies participating," said Master Sgt. Jay Moreau, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management flight superintendent. "By doing it this way, we were able to focus on the CBRN mission and better communicate this training to our ROKAF partners."

Once the exercise officially kicked off, the reconnaissance teams were dispatched to survey the detection network around the installation. Wherever chemical contamination was found, the teams reported back to the CBRN control center, also a joint effort.

"At the end of the exercise, decontamination stations were set up, by us and the ROKAF unit," Moreau said. "The purpose of both sides displaying their own was so each of us could learn from the other."

And learn from each other they did. ROK airmen were led through each station. If a question was asked, either an 8th CES or 8th Medical Operation Squadron Bioenvironmental Airman was there to answer.

"What it did was provide them [ROKAF] a little bit of training and some different tactics, techniques and procedures," Moreau said. "That's why exercises like these are so excellent to conduct - learning about different types of technology and other performance measures is invaluable to our work here."

Leadership from the ROK air force thanked the hosts for organizing this opportunity for their airmen.

"I'd like to thank the Wolf Pack on behalf of ROKAF," said ROK air force, Lt. Col. Lim, 38th Fighter Group Operations Command CBRN branch chief. "This was a great chance to familiarize both our air forces on a tactical and personal level in regards to our CBRN procedures. We hope to formalize more of these opportunities so we can train as we fight and fight as we train."