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First Lt. R. Hunter John, 37th Airlift Squadron pilot checks his gear before putting it on during a chemical-decontamination exercise here April 9. The 86th Operation Support Squadron sets up aircrew contamination control area lines in order to become familiar with the equipment and know what to do and expect in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux)

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Staff Sgt. Chelsea Iott (left), 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, holds her arms up while Senior Airman Daniele Vezza (right), 86th Operation Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, simulates checking her for chemical agents during a chemical-decontamination exercise here April 9. The 86th OSS sets up aircrew contamination control area lines in order to become familiar with the equipment and know what to do and expect in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux)

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Published April 13, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Airmen from the 37th Airlift Squadron and the 86th Operations Support Squadron participated in a chemical-decontamination exercise here, April 9. To know what to expect in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear environment, the exercise is conducted on a monthly basis to keep Airmen familiar with decontamination equipment and procedures.

The decontamination process starts with the red zone where Airmen clear their weapons, surrender documents and wash up. Next is the mask wipe and hood removal zone followed by overboot and protective overgarment removal areas in the yellow zone. The blue zone is for mask and glove removal where the Airmen are then considered decontaminated.