THREAT READY: Emergency response units team up for first time to train for CBRNE threats Published Oct. 18, 2008 By 452 AMW Public Affairs staff 452 AMW MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- For the first time, Reservists and National Guardsmen from Team March participated in a joint-effort exercise on Sunday Oct. 5 to test response and teamwork capabilities in an emergency situation. The exercise was conducted by 452nd Civil Engineering Emergency Management. More than 35 Airmen from the 163rd Emergency Management, 752nd Medical Group Bioenvironmental, 452nd Fire Department and 452 CEX Emergency Management participated in response to a hazardous material emergency. "We are using this exercise as a way to strengthen our communication skills between various groups of military expertise," said Staff Sgt. Roger Pascual, a 452 CEX emergency manager. "The CBRNE threat is greater every day and we need to be prepared to work with our fellow branches." In a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive scenario, the various groups respond to an incident site to assess, contain and neutralize any possible threats. Bioenvironmental and emergency management work hand-in-hand to test the site, while the fire department helps decontaminate and safeguard the hazardous materials. Senior Airman Joel Aspeytia said he would like to see more exercises where various base operations get together to respond to incidents because in a real world scenario, you are expected to coordinate with other branches to accomplish the mission. "I really hope we do more of this training and encompass more of the base in the future," said SrA. Aspeytia.