Incirlik’s Readiness Support Team is ready to respond

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Russell
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  With its mission of supporting the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization's assets and personnel throughout Turkey, Incirlik's Readiness Support Team could be considered a vital asset to the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management Flight.

The RST consists of 20 Airmen from various wing squadrons who support the REM flight during training, exercises, inspections and real-world incidents.

"There isn't enough manpower in EM to conduct our mission during exercises and real-world contingencies," said Airman Brandon Ashcraft, 39 CES Emergency Management. "So we train and rely on others to help us out."

These other individuals or "augmentees" are selected by squadron commanders.

"Augmentees function as if they are part of EM. It allows us to focus our skills on technical mission aspects," said Senior Airman Brandon Barnes, REM Flight training manager.

Along with managing the team, Airman Barnes has worked with the RST for more than a year and is qualified to certify all augmentees for their duty.

According to Air Force Instruction 10-2501, "Operations the RST may be involved with, but are not limited to, include performing Chemical Radiological & Nuclear monitoring and CBRN control center tasks, operating a radiological contamination control station and general on-scene commanded and control tasks."

Airman Ashcraft also instructs classes on contamination avoidance, CBRN personal decontamination, and proper use of the new M50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask which is currently issued by first responders. Every member of EM gets the chance to instruct classes.

The latest concept adapted for RST training is using augmentees for mission-essential circumstances, so training them on different equipment and preparing them as EM augmentees is important.

Depending on the need and nature of the incident, augmentees are put on "stand-by" until recalled by the Installation Control Center or Emergency Operations Center director.

Augmentees continuously train and prepare for emergencies, focusing on reconnaissance kits, post attack reconnaissance sweeps, grid maps, chemical biological radiological nuclear and high-yield explosives scenarios and other incidents involving Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear.

"The RST is a valuable piece of the 39th Air Base Wing's emergency response capability," said Master Sgt. Lee Smith, 39 CES Emergency Management superintendent. "The Airman participate each quarter in wing exercises, in addition to meeting once a month for specialized training. Most members assigned to Incirlik will wear MOPP gear only for Ability to Survive and Operate exercises; however, RST will spend hours in the gear every time they are recalled."

Readiness Support Team augmentee Airman 1st Class Kevin Haynes, 39th Maintenance Squadron, attends training sessions and has been placed on stand-by for exercises.

"I like being a part of RST," said Airman Haynes. "It gives you an idea of what another career field does. The RST is also a great concept because there is low manning and we help pick up the slack."

The RST's efforts haven't gone unnoticed. 

"I truly appreciate the time and effort put forth by this team and encourage supervisors and unit leaders to give them a pat on the back," said Sergeant Smith.