MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialists aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, hosted an initial Reconnaissance Surveillance and Decontamination course inside the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 facilities, March 27, 2015.
CBRN defense specialists’ primary responsibility is to ensure their units are trained and ready to survive and operate in a CBRN environment.
“In this course we have Marines from all units aboard station,” said Cpl. Gilbert Stavena, a CBRN defense specialist with MALS-12. “As CBRN specialist, we have a responsibility to train the Marines so they know how to handle a situation if the case should arise.”
Stavena said as part of the training each unit needs at least 25 percent of their Marines to be trained for CBRN situations, adding that in order to continue being the leading force in readiness, Marines must be ready for anything as a CBRN scenario may occur at any moment.
During the course service members learned the polices relating to threats that may accrue in order to take the proper actions and avoid contamination, as well as the equipment needed to detain someone exposed to a pathogen and how to decontaminate them along with the proper steps needed when taking off protective equipment to prevent self-contamination.
“I think this is a class all Marines should attend,” said Pfc. Ivory Yarbrough, an aviation operations specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 12. “Marines are ready for anything at any time, that’s why this class is important. In a split second Marines need to be on the move to combat any threat.”
According to Stavena, most Marines don’t think of CBRN when assessing threats, adding that as his students learn more about CBRN hazards the more interested they become in the course.
Yarbrough said that she learned invaluable information that could possibly save her or another service members’ life and looks forward to the opportunity to take follow on classes to improve on her new skills.