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# PACAF Visits Kunsan AB, Validates Next-gen Aircrew Protection

By Staff Sgt. Isaiah Soliz 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) deployed a joint team of representatives and subject matter experts to Kunsan, conducting the major command’s first test and validation of counter-chemical warfare tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP), Jan. 11-13, 2023.These tests are part of the Next Generation Aircrew Protection program, designed to ensure aircrew have proper chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protective equipment and that CBRN measures are modernized to meet emerging threats while maintaining peak human performance.“Current aircrew and pilot CBRN protective equipment are effective but restrictive andburdensome, thus hindering combat effectiveness,” said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Hall, PACAF aircrew flight equipment (AFE) major command functional manager. “The Air Force realized this in late 2021 and early 2022 and set aside about $16 million to conduct research on aircraft, ground and air testing across various platforms to collect quantitative and qualitative data.”Armed with the data, researchers refined existing TTPs to better equip aircrews, like Kunsan’s,with the tools necessary to continue the ‘Fight Tonight’ mission.“Wing commanders have an associated risk attached to nearly every decision they make,” saidSenior Master Sgt. Ryan Rios, PACAF AFE command manager. “With the integrated data andrefined TTPs, wing commanders now have additional information to help them make those tough decisions and continue executing their mission should a CBRN event occur.”The TTPs are the brainchild of Col. Daniel Roberts, who now serves as 97th Medical Groupcommander at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.“Risk is ever-present,” said Roberts. “Looking at combat operations in a chemical environmentbrings the question to mind; ‘How does one balance and right-size risk to improve combateffectiveness?’ Thinking this way allowed us to improve human performance and the ability ofour ground crews to turn aircraft in an effective manner so our combat forces are ready whencalled upon.”The program’s tests and validations affected several base agencies to include the 35th and 80thFighter Squadrons, 8th Operations Support Squadron AFE, 8th Civil Engineer Squadronemergency management, 8th Maintenance Group and the 8th Medical Group bioenvironmentalengineering flight.Participating Airmen tested the updated CBRN TTPs safely and efficiently by stepping,launching and recovering a flying mission in a simulated chemical filled environment.The PACAF team is slated to validate every installation within the MAJCOM and ultimately willestablish standardized PACAF-wide counter-chemical warfare aircrew protection measures.Efforts like this help ensure Kunsan maintains maximum combat readiness capabilities tosupport a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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