CERE feature layout

This layout was done in preparation for the 35th Fighter Wing's Oct. 24-27 Combat Employment Readiness Exercise, or CERE.

A CERE is an exercise where battle scenarios are simulated in real time.

While the exercise will be mostly the host unit, the 35th FW, some tenet units may choose to participate.

Exercise organizers will create various war-like scenarios. These scenarios include a bombing, a building blowing up, deployment of mustard gas or discovery of unexploded ordnance. There will be simulated casualties and injuries as well where people can be taken in and out of play. We are expected to react in real time to these scenarios. This means we will have to work as though we are under actual battle conditions.

This exercise will continue for four days, and we must be in some form of chemical gear the entire time. Our dorm rooms and the chow hall will be considered no-play areas.

The CERE is an exercise and our performance has no bearing on the base. The CERE does give our commander an indicator of how war ready we actually are. At a later date we will participate in a CERI, an inspection, where we will be graded on our performance by a higher command.

This is very similar to a layout I did at Dover Air Force Base on preparing for an ORI. I did not write the story for this one or even take the picture. I did do the layout for this page. My boss, Tech. Sgt. Brad Carder, wrote the story for me. Master Sgt. Dan McCarthy took the photo. I am the model in MOPP 4 gear.

Mission Oriented Protective Posture is a system the military employees to protect troops from nuclear, biological or chemical environments. This includes aerosol anthrax, mustard gas, serin gas, VX gas as well as any other NBC weapon an enemy may use.

When we arrive at Misawa Air Base, we are given an issue of chemical gear. We receive two bags, a real world bag and an exercise bag.

The real world bag contains all new, sealed equipment. This is for use in an actual NBC environment.

The exercise bag contains the same items as the real world bag. The items in this bag are used and unserviceable, meaning they cannot be used in an actual NBC environment. The exercise bag must be carried during the CERE.

In this photo I am in MOPP level 4. MOPP level 4 is the highest level of protection afforded by MOPP gear. This includes a charcoal filled suit, rubber boots, rubber gloves, a gas mask and a rubber hood. I have put on field gear for this photo. Field gear includes a kevlar helmet and a flak jacket. I am also wearing a canteen.

The arrows that point to different parts of my gear are annotated with material I took from my March 19, 1999 layout. The gas mask at the bottom was taken from a newsletter from last year's CERE. CTLOPEZ (Publication date, October 20, 2000)