MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Airmen from the 6th Force Support Squadron participated in a classroom and hands-on, search and recovery training exercise Jan. 17, 2018 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
During the classroom portion of the training instructors went over blood-borne pathogens, personal protective equipment, and how to handle the stress that commonly comes with performing a search and recovery of personal belongings and remains.
“I think the instruction in the morning was very useful,” said 2nd Lieutenant Mary Berling, a food service officer assigned to the 6th FSS. “Everyone was confident and knowledgeable on the basics of search and recovery and some even had real life experiences they shared.”
After the morning classroom portion of the training the team prepared to put their knowledge to the test.
Instructors created a grid with caution tape for the team to perform their search, mark all remains found, and recover those remains accordingly.
“As the team lead, my job was basically to ensure first and foremost that the scene is safe for the Airmen performing the search, and to ensure nothing is left behind or overlooked,” said Master Sgt. David Bushnell, acting services sustainment superintendent, assigned to the 6th FSS. “As well as myself, the team consisted of linemen to search, flankers to ensure Airmen stayed in line, an Airman to mark the remains found, and an Airman to record where and what was found.”
The team ensured they searched thoroughly by lining up roughly arm-length apart from each other and waiting for their team lead to give the command to step. After they stepped they would search the area around them and then prepare to step again.
“We always want to err on the side of caution,” said Bushnell. “No matter what is found whether it looks like trash or not, our Airmen call us to check to ensure no personal belongings or remains are left behind.”
After the team had walked the grid pattern and ensured everything had been properly marked, they simulated the recovery process.
“When we start the recovery process we make sure everything is bagged correctly and remains are put on ice,” said Bushnell. “The biggest thing we have to remember when it comes to this part is to stay in our lane, we have to make sure we don’t re-associate any remains or belongings.”
At the end of the training, Bushnell stopped to critique his team and give them words of wisdom.
“This is a very young team out here with only three NCOs and the rest are young Airmen,” said Bushnell. “However, to me it looked like all of the Airmen really understood the importance of their job on the team and why they needed to be professional even in training.”