MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marines from around the station completed a course at the Marine Aircraft Group 12 Nuclear, Biological and Chemical classroom July 19.
Thirty-five students graduated the week-long NBC Monitor, Survey and Decontamination course which taught them the basic fundamentals of the NBC field.
The course trains Marines to handle the task of locating, identifying and cleaning up contaminants in the event of an emergency.
"We train them to know what to do if called upon to be a part of a monitor survey decontamination team," said Lance Cpl. Kevin Dickhut, NBC course chief instructor. "Once Marines finish this course they know how to utilize the proper gear and procedures for dealing with an NBC situation."
What the students learn in the classes could save their lives, as well as the lives of their fellow Marines and station residents, noted Dickhut.
"They learn the correct way to wear the Mission-Oriented Protective Posture gear as well as how to recognize symptoms of an NBC attack in personnel, in addition to basic first aid for casualties of an attack," said Dickhut.
Although all the students could relate to the fear and anxiety of an NBC attack, the lessons hit a little closer to home for some.
"My unit was recently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom," said Cpl. Dale Cram, Marine Air Control Squadron Motor Transport mechanic. "In real-world operations, the threat is always out there."
The practical application section of the course is considered fairly uncomfortable by most students, but the benefits of such training are well worth it, noted Cram.
"We ran NBC drills twice a week while I was deployed," said Cram. "This course has made me realize the dangers of NBC attacks and how crucial it is to know the procedures for detecting and dealing with them."
Class participants learn firsthand why it's so important to detect and decontaminate foreign agents as soon as possible, noted Dickhut.
"The main objective of a MSD team is to find and decontaminate as quickly as safety will allow in order to get the unit mission capable again," said Dickhut.
Cram said he couldn't agree more.
"Unit performance is really hampered when everyone is in MOPP gear," said Cram, "but you still have the mission at hand."
Throughout the week students learned about the equipment used to detect and protect against foreign agents. Also on the agenda was the different techniques used to contain a contaminant and how to properly decontaminate equipment and personnel in the field.
One of the most anticipated events of the week is when the students go through the gas chamber, according to Dickhut.
"The chamber really seems to be the highlight of everybody's week," said Dickhut. "It's a chance for the students to show what they've learned throughout the course."
After completing the course students take away a new understanding of how to deal with NBC warfare and a sense of confidence if they should ever have to face such a situation, noted Cram.
"They passed a lot of great information to us during this course that I'll carry with me throughout my career," said Cram. "I would highly recommend this course to anyone."
The NBC course is offered every month aboard the station. For more information on signing up for the course, call 253-4882 or 253-4637.