GAS GAS GAS Published Oct. 31, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- More than 40 Barksdale Airmen receive gas mask fit tests every Thurs. from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Bio-Environmental Engineering building on base. All gas mask fit tests are mandatory for both in-processing and deploying Airmen to ensure they are properly prepared in case of a chemical disaster or attack. These tests are performed by the 2nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron. Senior Airman Francisco Rubio-Martinez is one of the Airmen in the 2 AMDS who ensures Barksdale Airmen receive the correct size mask. "The fit test is important because Airmen need to have a properly sized mask when they deploy," said Rubio-Martinez. "Our job is to make sure Airmen are protected from anything that could harm their health." The first step to gas mask fitting is allowing Airmen to come in and hand-pick a gas mask size. There are only three sizes to choose from, so they try them on until they find the right fit. Once a correct size is found, a machine measures the amount of particles that enter the mask while it is on. This makes sure there is no break in the seal of the gas mask. "After an Airman has received their fit test they come to the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron mobility section with a copy of their results," said Airman 1st Class Andrew Redding, 2 LRS. Once Redding knows what size the Airman needs, he issues it using the Mobility Inventory Control Accountability System. MICAS keeps track of all of the equipment currently issued to Barksdale Airmen. 2 LRS issues approximately 15-20 gas masks weekly, said Redding. Airmen can receive orders to deploy at any time and sometimes they only have a few days to prepare. Completing this test ahead of time ensures Airmen are properly prepared at a moment's notice. For more information regarding gas mask fittings contact Bio-Environmental at 456-6730.