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McConnell AFB Airmen 'to make CWC history'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  More than donning the "general issue" gas mask, McConnell AFB members are taking a historic step by hosting a chemical weapons convention exercise March 28 to April 1, 2011.

The CWC will be Air Mobility Command's first base-wide, CWC 301 Mock On-Site inspection. The CWC is a multi-national arms control treaty that prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, transfer, use and preparation for use of chemical weapons.

"The goal of the CWC is to one day make a safer world by eliminating chemical weapons," said Dave Graves, AMC Treaty Compliance Officer. "McConnell is contributing to that goal by preparing and training Air Force base assistance teams."

BATs consist of personnel knowledgeable of the CWC treaty. The BAT members along with approximately 100 Team McConnell personnel will meet here, forming one team. The team and base will go through a rigorous four and a half day mock inspection. The inspectors will be searching for violation of the CWC treaty such as McConnell's aircraft transporting chemical weapons or facilities housing chemical weapons.

"Our wing successes during the CWC mock on-site inspection [will be] largely due to Team McConnell's relentless drive and motivation, professionalism and strong leadership," said Mr. David Allee', 22nd Air Refueling Wing International Treaty Compliance officer.

McConnell's Airmen can expect to attend mandatory formations, training, selective interviews, hazardous records reviews, on-site inspections and much more.

The CWC inspectors execute their mission without interfering with McConnell's mission, however, commanders may suspend daily operations in order to support CWC inspectors, said Mr. Allee'.

Although the CWC exercise is a small taste of an actual inspection, McConnell Airmen will be able to learn new skills, refine old ones and have the chance to be pioneers in AMC, said both treaty compliance officers.