News

From Ready to Four: know your mission-oriented protective postures

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Responding to a chemical, nuclear, biological, or radiation contamination is probably the one element of an operational readiness inspection that will involve every individual deployed.

How quickly and effectively Reservists respond to an attack that leaves contamination in its wake will depend on how well they understand the alarm signals and know their mission-oriented protective postures.

MOPP levels range from "Ready," to MOPP 4.

During an ORI in December, Airmen from one East Coast base neglected to change out M-8/M-9 paper following attacks, according to Lt. Col. Ray Luevanos, 446th Mission Support Group deputy commander. Luevanos was an observer on the Air Mobility Command's Inspector General team for the ORI.

"This resulted in confusion after a subsequent non-chemical attack, which was interpreted to have chemicals because of prior M-8/M-9 contamination," Luevanos said.

A critical element to dressing out in the proper MOPP gear is employing the buddy system.

The buddy system doesn't end once you're dressed out in MOPP 4. You also need to account for all your people.

Referring to another recent ORI he observed, Luevanos recalls a missing commander.

"During the first missile attack, the EOC (emergency operations center) director was in the restroom. She was missing for three-plus minutes. After donning their MOPP 4 gear, the staff neglected to go search for her," Luevanos said. Inspectors expect Airmen to conduct buddy checks during and after donning of equipment.

Reservists can review the current MOPP levels and their requirements, as well as alarm signals in their Airman's Manual, just make sure you have the most updated version, which is dated March 2009, with changes incorporated from June 2011.