USARPAC Soldiers get training on promising decontamination prototype
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Marines from the 3rd Regiment, out of Kaneohe Bay, mix a “disclosure solution” during a Hazard Mitigation, Materiel and Equipment Restoration, or HaMMER, Advanced Technology Demonstration, held here, throughout August and September. Service members from across U.S. Army-Pacific trained, tested and provided feedback on this new prototype for military biological, chemical or radiological decontamination.
Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Amber Robinson
U.S. Army-Pacific Public Affairs
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers from throughout U.S. Army-Pacific trained on one of the military’s most promising decontamination prototypes, here, Aug. 6-Sept. 15.
The prototype is known as Hazard Mitigation, Materiel and Equipment Restoration, or HaMMER, Advanced Technology Demonstration, or ADT.
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — A Soldier from 71st Chemical Co., 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, prepares a backpack, which holds a “disclosure solution,” during a Hazard Mitigation, Materiel and Equipment Restoration, or HaMMER, Advanced Technology Demonstration, here. Service members from across U.S. Army-Pacific trained, tested and provided feedback on this new prototype for military biological, chemical or radiological decontamination.
The HaMMER ATD allows service members to work hands-on with the equipment and provide feedback to the U.S. Army Operational Test Command at Fort Hood, Texas. Once the equipment has been successfully tested and evaluated, it can be acquisitioned. Acquisition means the equipment has been technically and operationally tested, funded from first use to last use, and will be officially employed by military units.
“This equipment is currently pre-acquisition,” said Randy Weiss. “What we want is to get the equipment into the hands of Soldiers so the users can give us feedback. We want feedback from the platoon leaders all the way down to the lowest private. This feedback is incredibly valuable; it helps us to decipher whether or not we will continue to fund the equipment’s progression or not.”
“This is kind of like the baby steps of the next generation of equipment that will come out,” said John McPherson, transition manager, HaMMER ATD.
What makes the HaMMER equipment attractive to the military is its ability to decrease logistics and increase combat efficiency with more mobility.
“The objective of the program is to reduce the logistical footprint required to decontaminate a vehicle and then get it back out into the fight,” Weiss said. “We want to reduce the amount of logistical supplies, the amount of Soldiers, amount of time and even reduce the level of Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear Soldiers are required to wear during the decontamination process.”
The HaMMER system is available in a series of capabilities, based on how much decontamination a vehicle has been exposed to. It has a very small, go-bag called a Mobile on the Move, or MOM, bag, containing everything needed for a small amount of contamination. This small version of the system can be carried and used by one individual.
Next in line is the Mobile Support,” which is a decontamination system transported via a Humvee and High Mobility Trailer. This system has a much higher capability of decontamination with more options for cleansing a vehicle which has been tainted with a dangerous pollutant.
Last is the Large Scale Stationary Support, which is set up on a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle and offers the most decontamination options. Decontamination on this scale is operated by a chemical company.
Once the HaMMER ATD is completed, here, information will be shared with OTC and other organizations.
Soldiers from 71st Chemical Co., 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command; from 540th Quartermaster Co., 45th Sust. Brigade, 8th TSC; from 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division; and from the 61st and 62nd Chemical Co., 23rd Chem., Biological, Radiological Nuclear Bn., Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., trained on and provided feedback on the most versatile and combat-friendly decontamination system available to the military.
Also, Marines from the 3rd Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, participated.
Category: Deployed Forces, News, Safety, U.S. Army Garrison-Pohakuloa (USAG-Pohakuloa)
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