MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- All eyes will be on Iwakuni Monday as the Station kicks off a counter chemical warfare training exercise that may become standard operating procedure for the entire Marine Corps.
The exercise, which runs through Friday, is being held to test the Station's ability to react to a chemical or biological incident, and to act as the cornerstone for other such exercises Marine Corps wide.
"First off, I want to make it clear that there is no perceived or specific threat that we are reacting to," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Wadley, Marine Aircraft Group 12 Nuclear Biological Chemical officer. "This is just an exercise, though a very important one. What we do here is going to become procedure for the entire Marine Corps."
The exercise will consist of six main events during the week, according to Lt. Col. Thomas Abel, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron commanding officer.
First on the list will be a contamination avoidance exercise.
"Basically this initial exercise deals with how to avoid being exposed," said Abel. "For instance, going inside, turning off ventilation systems and donning respirators."
As with all CCW exercises, field protective masks and mission oriented protective posture suits will be worn by participating service members.
"People's first reaction is shock whenever they hear the words chemical or biological," said Wadley. "They get this mental picture in their minds of contamination so thick it drips off trees. This is not the case. In actuality, the contamination would probably be so light that it would be difficult to find. That's why we have detectors pre-staged around the Station."
Other exercises, noted Abel, deal with sounding the public address system, refueling aircraft in a contaminated area, mass casualty evacuations, preparing an aircraft for operations, and finally, a civil defense scenario that deals with industrial type accidents.
According to Abel, there are three types of chemical and biological incidents that this exercise will tackle, including a traditional weapons attack, a terrorist attack and an industrial incident.
"Of all the possible scenarios, an industrial accident, such as a train derailment or chemical spill, is the most likely," said Abel. "This exercise allows us to test our ability to react to any chemical situation quickly and decisively. Residents should be very confident in our ability to handle any chemical or biological situation."
That confidence from the command seems to have become contagious, as service members expressed little doubt that Iwakuni could handle a chemical or biological situation.
"Training and exercises such as this help to promote a sense of self-assuredness and to get rid of any jitters or nervousness," said Lance Cpl. Victor Mendoza, H&HS administrative clerk. "Being prepared is the best defense against anything."
Abel said he couldn't agree more.
"You've got to have a plan for success," said Abel. "Otherwise you've accepted a plan for failure. This exercise is definitely a plan for success."