Airmen participate in oil spill response exercise

Tech. Sgt. Scott Strobel, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter simulates the role of the incident commander during an oil spill response excercise on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 10, 2015. The incident commander is responsible for all incident activities, including the development of stategies and tactics and the ordering and release of resources needed for the operation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mozer O. Da Cunha)

Airmen participate in oil spill response exercise

Firefighters from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron participate in an oil spill response exercise on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 10, 2015. The exercise was designed to maximize response time to an incident while reducing its environmental impact. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mozer O. Da Cunha)

Airmen participate in oil spill response exercise

An Airmen surveys a simulated contaminate to determine its impact during an oil spill response exercise on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 10, 2015. As part of the exercise, various agencies train together to stop the spill at the source, barricade hazardous chemicals and remove contaminates from the soil and water. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Mozer O. Da Cunha)

Airmen participate in oil spill response exercise

Published June 11, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Mozer O. Da Cunha
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - -- Airmen from various agencies including Fire Prevention, Environmental Management and Water and Fuels Systems participated in an oil spill response exercise held June 9-10, 2015 here.

The exercise aims to maximize response while minimizing environmental impact by reviewing critical components of the oil spill prevention and response plan and developing an understanding of spill potential.

"We are training for a real world response so we know exactly what to do," said Master Sgt. Kevan Moniz, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of training. "We know we have to be quick, we know we have to stop [spill] from getting in the storm drains..., from getting into the soil and try to contain it all on the concrete.

In addition to reducing the environmental impact of oil spills, the exercise also teaches Airmen how to respond to incidents more effectively.

"We found out that coordination and notification needs to be reviewed to make a faster response," said Robert Cote, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental protection specialist."

Coordinating with other agencies is an essential for a speedy containment and disposal of contaminates.

By understanding the core components I can arrive at the scene and know to report to the incident commander as well as see what I can do to assist him, said Cote.

Additionally, the exercise provides an environment to develop knowledge and skills beneficial to accomplishing the mission either at home station or in a deployed environment.

"Practicing stateside lets people know that we are trained to handle any situation that comes up and that we have the necessary equipment and knowledge available to contain the situation quickly so it does not impact the environment," said Moniz.

Utilizing the tools and knowledge provided by the exercise, Airmen can more effectively accomplish the mission and maximize response to oil and fuel spills while minimizing impact to the environment.