Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs March 24, 2023
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Chamberlin, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance unit superintendent, puts on protective gear during exercise Radiant Falcon at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 16, 2023. The exercise consisted of leadership seminars, a practical tabletop exercise and an immersive training opportunity for Airmen at RAB. (U.S Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai)
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, the 86th and 721st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management flight, participated in exercise Radiant Falcon to acquire and hone proficiency in radiological contamination detection and decontamination safety techniques at Ramstein Air Base, March 16.
“We’re trying to simplify how to assess an aircraft for radiation and contamination,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Wagner, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa surgeon general bioenvironmental engineer. “Exercises like this help to provide decision points for commanders on the ground to understand the risk related to the mission and the health of the Airmen making the mission happen.”
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Ramstein Air Base put on protective gear during exercise Radiant Falcon at Ramstein AB, Germany, March 16, 2023. The exercise was the first for United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa as the command plans to develop and expand its scope of training, and conduct the training at other bases across the area of responsibility. (U.S Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai)
The squadrons worked together during leadership seminars, tabletop exercises and simulated events as part of the radiological detection and decontamination exercise.
“This exercise allowed us to test our capabilities and integration with units like emergency management, port and maintenance Airmen,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Minto, 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron bioenvironmental journeyman. “We were able to see how well we’d respond to aircrafts coming from a radioactive plume and test and decontaminate the aircraft and Airmen.”
U.S. Air Force Airmen from Ramstein Air Base prepare for exercise Radiant Falcon at Ramstein AB, Germany, March 16, 2023. Airmen from various squadrons participated in an extensive training exercise to acquire and hone proficiency in radiological contamination detection and decontamination safety techniques. (U.S Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai)
Exercise Radiant Falcon was the first for USAFE-AFAFRICA as the command works to develop and expand the scope of training, and plan to conduct additional events at other bases across the area of responsibility.
“We are setting a baseline for the Air Force in how to respond to these events and hoping to keep conducting these wing-level exercises,” said Wagner. “The concept of operations will never become capabilities until exercised, tested and refined to meet mission needs.”
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Juno Dingwell, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management craftsman briefs her team during exercise Radiant Falcon at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 16, 2023. Airmen participated in simulated scenarios where they were responsible for conducting safety surveys of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft that was contaminated with radiation, and safely decontaminating both the aircraft and Airmen. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
U.S. Air Force Airmen from Ramstein Air Base decontaminate a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during exercise Radiant Falcon at RAB, Germany, March 16, 2023. The exercise consisted of leadership seminars, a practical tabletop exercise and immersive training simulations for Airmen to acquire and hone proficiency in radiological contamination detection and decontamination safety techniques. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Punger, 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron bioenvironmental craftsman, conducts decontamination safety procedures during exercise Radiant Falcon at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 16, 2023. Airmen from various squadrons participated in simulated scenarios where they were responsible for conducting safety surveys of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft that was potentially contaminated with radiation, and safely decontaminating both the aircraft and the Airmen involved. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
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