Team Edwards devotes time, resources for training Published Nov. 25, 2008 By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In an effort to strengthen the base's campaign for the Unit Compliance Inspection in January, Team Edwards devoted time and resources for a Targeted Readiness Inspection training Nov. 22. Unit Compliance Inspection evaluates areas mandated by law as well as mission areas identified by Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command senior leadership as critical or important to the health and performance of the base. As a subset of the UCI, Targeted Readiness Inspection focuses on a base's specific area, depending on its strength and weakness. For Team Edwards, the AFMC inspector general team will evaluate the base's readiness realm, including its mobility processing and the Airmen's ability to survive and operate in a deployed environment. "We need to do the training," said Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Hollis, 95th Mission Support Group superintendent and one of the training coordinators. "The training has a two-fold purpose. Some of the trainees will be deploying in the January and February timeframe. Through this training, they will be increasing their proficiency to accomplish their mission. For the rest of us, we are doing this for the TRI as we will demonstrate our proficiency to the evaluators." Airmen received training on five programs, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear training, Self-Aid Buddy Care, M-9 and M-16 weapons familiarization, post-attack recognizance and general knowledge on the ability to survive and operate in a deployed location. "For the CBRN training, we are giving the Airmen the opportunity to become familiar with their equipment, chemical protective overgarment and their gas mask," said Tech. Sgt. Jenny Bangay, installation exercise program noncommissioned officer in charge and the coordinator of the whole event. "The Airmen were given the time to practice donning the gear." For the SABC, Airmen received training on how to treat field injuries in six different scenarios. The weapons familiarization allowed Airmen to have a hands-on experience with the M-16 and M-9 weapons, including disassembly, assembly and function checks. "Through the post-attack recognizance training, Airmen learned how to identify and report unexploded ordnances in a field environment," Sergeant Bangay said. "The general ATSO topic familiarized the Airmen with the Air Force Manual 10-100." Chief Hollis said these training directly correlate to the essential skills Airmen need in a deployed environment. "Airmen have historically been known as being primarily skilled professionals, whereas Marines have the mentality of being riflemen first, while our Army comrades have always been known as being soldiers first," he said. "Airmen have been thrust into roles on deployment that go beyond our day-to-day scope of duties." Airmen need dedicated time and the right focus to sharpen their skills in these areas, said Chief Hollis. "Training such as these help our Airmen immensely," he said. "It's a natural tendency to feel more relaxed and confident when you know what you're doing, and you are proficient in the task you are performing. It builds your morale." To attain a successful UCI and deployment, it starts with having the right attitude, Chief Hollis said. "We have a lot of senior leadership to provide the emphasis," he said. "When the leaders participate and demonstrate the enthusiasm, that's contagious. Our instructors and evaluators also have the same level of enthusiasm. They feel confident and motivated. Our Airmen have the right focus, the right attitude and leadership, and I think we are doing a good job."