Bioenvironmental ensures reservists fit to fight

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sasha S. Skrine
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Chin first, and then place the mask over your face. Breathe deeply and follow the instructions on the screen," directed Tech. Sgt. Sondra Raphael as she signs off on the previous customer, sanitizes the mask insert and calls out for the next customer to take a seat.  

Sergeant Raphael, a traditional reservist and the NCO in charge of the bioenvironmental flight, quickly and accurately provides quantitative fit tests to more than 60 customers during the UTA weekends. 

Sergeant Raphael, currently the sole employee, is challenged with a high volume of customers. These customers include reservists in need of their annual tests along with the more than 200 Liberty Wing members tasked with the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection. 

The QNFT, known as the gas mask fit test, is a mandatory test to ensure the equipment a reservist takes into a war zone is functioning properly. 

"Right now, our priority lies with reservists slated for deployment and those who are participating in the ORI," said Sergeant Raphael. 

"Reservists tasked in the ORI must have a current gas mask fit test," said Lt. Col. James Johann, 512th AW Readiness Cell director. "The fit test is one of the biggest items inspectors check. If reservists aren't up to date, they would be automatically disqualified." 

The gas mask fit test is only one aspect of the bioenvironmental flight's mission promoting the health and well being of Air Force personnel. 

Sergeant Raphael, a reservist for 10 years, described her responsibilities as ranging from water, air and soil testing to chemical, radiological and bacteriological analysis. 

"Our duties in bioenvironmental are quite varied depending on whether or not we are working in an overseas or deployed environment," she explained. 

In order to meet the challenge of being the sole administrator of a high volume of tests, Sergeant Raphael cites planning, scheduling and flexibility as the keys to successfully carrying out the mission of keeping the Liberty Wing fit.