2 LRS keeps Barksdale Airmen protected

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Sitting at an office desk is an Airman in a full Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology with a gas mask suctioned to his face. He's a new Airman and this is his first exercise.

"Luke, I am your father!"

We've probably all done it. Imitated the voice of the infamous "bad guy", Darth Vader, from Star Wars in our gas masks while breathing heavily. Although it seems like fun and games for a moment in time, that gas mask and suit he's wearing could save his life during a real-world chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive attack.

With more than 6,500 military members on Barksdale Air Force Base, the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron has their hands full, giving Airmen their individual protective equipment in case of such emergencies.

"We not only store IPE for Barksdale Airman in the warehouse," said Airman 1st Class Ashley Jackson, 2nd LRS mobility and weapons section. "We provide IPE for training and real-world deployments for all military on the base, including Air Force Global Strike Command and the 307th Wing."

There are more than a hundred crates in the warehouse holding the CBRNE gear, including gas masks and JSLISTs and IPE such as helmets and cold weather gear for Airmen in-processing the base and deploying overseas.

"There is both training and real-world JSLIST gear, or chemical suits, for all Airman and first-responders," said Jackson.

The chem. suit, which is stored in a vacuum-sealed bag, contains a carbon lining to protect against chemical and biological agents, she said. When opened for real-world contamination, the suit can be worn for 24 hours. All Airmen have suits that are properly labeled with the word "training" for exercises.

"All the chem. gear is stored in what we call a 'c-bag'," said Jackson. "The c-bag contains the vital, lifesaving, sustaining gear in case of a CBRNE attack. The bag holds the chem. suit, gas mask canisters and over-boots for our regular boots."

The training c-bags are cycled through as Airmen process to and from Barksdale. When deploying, the over-boots are vacuum-sealed, as well as the JSLIST, and four extra real-world canisters are included, she added.

Though the JSLISTs and over-boots are recycled through without wash, the gas masks go through a more rigorous procedure.

"Each mask, no matter the new M-50 or old Mickey 2, must pass a thorough 'leak' test before being issued to Airmen," said Senior Airman Sarah Lanzillo, 2nd LRS mobility and weapons section. "The test examines the seal created around the face, oxygen flow and the drinking tube. A passing grade means the mask is ready for issue."

While serving a monthly average of 400 Airmen, the procedures for issuing equipment to those in-processing and deploying are slightly different.

"When an Airman is in-processing to Barksdale, their common access card is used to upload them into the Mobility Inventory Control Accountability System," said Airman 1st Class Stephen Walker, 2nd LRS mobility and weapons section. "The Airman should also already have their gas mask fit test. We look at the size they tested with and then issue their mask. They also receive an 'A1 bag' that holds their training chem. gear, with a canteen, web belt and helmet."

When deploying, the Airmen's reporting instructions are reviewed and equipment is issued for the specifications of the deployment location.

"They'll receive a modified A1 bag that has four real-world gas mask canisters and then, if needed, an 'A bag', for the sleep set, and a 'B bag' that holds cold weather gear such as a parka, flyers cap and mittens," he added.

The Airmen that work in the 2nd LRS warehouse constantly inventory and maintain all IPE. They count and annotate what's in every location of the warehouse and know where the equipment is at all times.

"We'll go through our inventory in the morning, to make sure everything's accountable for and then later in the day, equipment has been issued or returned and we'll have to go through it all again," said Jackson.

With all the upkeep and preparedness of the 2nd LRS, it's no wonder their slogan of "LRS... Nothing but the best" precedes them.