Airmen participate in MOPP challenge

  • Published
  • By Capt. Sheryll Klinkel
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Wolf Pack Airmen from units across the base lined up in the fitness center here with their mission oriented protective posture gear and individual protective equipment to participate in a MOPP challenge Jan. 20.

"The purpose of the MOPP challenge was to test Airmen on their MOPP proficiency and knowledge in a timed, yet fun learning environment," said Master Sgt. Jason Wilkerson, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and event coordinator.

The challenge took eight Airmen through each MOPP level, as exercise evaluation team members timed and checked the participants for discrepancies. The objective of the challenge was to see which participant could don each MOPP level the fastest, with the least amount of discrepancies. For each discrepancy EET found, an extra 10 seconds was added to the participants' overall total time.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ackerman, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron EET member, said the key is to get your gear on quickly, in as short amount of time as possible for your protection, both in real world and for the contest.   

After each MOPP level was tested, Senior Airman Andrew McClung, 8th Operations Support Squadron, was announced as the winner with an overall time of 3:58.

This was Airman McClung's first time using his MOPP gear here, as he is a new Wolf Pack member. His strategy was to develop a process and familiarize himself with the gear.

"I organized my bag and laid out my gear in order of the MOPP levels," he said. "I made sure that everything was on their corresponding sides -- left boot on the left side, right boot on the right."

"Look through the Airman's Manual, pages 23 to 27," he added. "It shows exactly what you should have on, exactly what it should look like ... people need to look into when they change into MOPP 3, what really goes on."

A majority of the participants' discrepancies were from minor errors.

"Attention to detail," said Sergeant Ackerman. "Velcro, leg straps or a fastener -- follow your Ability to Survive and Operate guide and Airman's Manual. Make sure you're checking yourself, and especially your buddy -- that way we all survive."

"Overall, the contest went well, and it was very beneficial," said the sergeant. "It gave us perspective, with a small sample of the whole population, how ready we are as wing."

According to Sergeant Ackerman, testing readiness is much more than just for exercises or inspections.

"We're here at Kunsan and we've got enemy up north that could potentially use chemical, biological or nuclear-type weapons," the sergeant said. "It's part of our Air Force and DOD training to practice CBRN defense actions."

Airman McClung agreed that MOPP knowledge is critical to know.

"Everything we do and train for is a reason and for a cause," he said. "It's definitely something that can save a life."

To review MOPP levels, click here.