Volume 23, No. 2 NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen 26 January 2007 Fire Brigade ready to counter biological threats With the received training firefighters can reduce the By SMSgt. Johan Hijmenberg impact of a biological attack. Extinguishing fires and saving Photos lives is the first priority of the MSgt. Mark Boggess Fire Brigade on base, but during 2006 they extended their expertise to include handling potential biological threats of a nuclear and/or chemical nature. kill or incapacitate people, livestock, Kohnen and Gerrit Schulmeyer, Fire Department personnel are only A biological weapon is useful to a and crops. both E-3A Component Fire Brigade responsible for the first response. terrorist group mainly as a method members, were instructors. One has of creating mass panic and disruption The three basic groups of biological a background as a chemist and also “We don’t get into ‘competition’ to society. It is easy to send biological agents that would likely be used as laboratory experience. In addition, with the Component’s NBC-Team,” agents through the mail. At the end weapons are bacteria, viruses, and they were trained as instructors. In six said Gerrit Schulmeyer. “We do the of 2001, the Component took part in toxins. Many break down quickly sessions last year all base firefighters first ‘strike’ and then we hand-over “Operation Eagle Assist” at Oklahoma when exposed to sunlight and other received their training. the incident to the NBC-Team; but AFB, U.S. During this time, members environmental factors, while others, assist them wherever.” of the U.S. Congress and media outlets such as anthrax spores, are very long “Each course had a duration of three were sent letters containing anthrax. lived. Biological agents can be dispersed days,” said Kohnen. “In total, sixteen Kohnen commentated that the The attack killed five people and by several methods, including spraying hours of theory and four hours of training provided tools to assist the frightened many. them into the air, by infecting animals practice. Component flight surgeons biological specialists. During the that carry the disease to humans and taught the different kinds of biological practical lessons searches had to be “Since then biological attacks have by contaminating food and water. symptoms.” performed in full protective gear, been a hot item,” said Wiel Weusten- examinations of the kind of substance raad, deputy commander, fire “To know what to do is important,” With this training firefighters can were done and information on how to brigade. said Weustenraad. “But even more reduce the impact of a biological attack eliminate and secure the threat were important is to know what not to do. and perhaps completely avoid the passed on. They also learned how and The attack motivated efforts to As firefighters we support the deployed danger. what to decontaminate after active define bio-defence and bio-security. biological specialists.” duty in a biological environment. Not only for responsible persons on “Some procedures are the same as base but for the whole western world. In order for the Fire Brigade to be other incidents,” said Weustenraad. “You The firefighters will continue to Biological agents are organisms better prepared to respond to these are always to approach the incident complete a refresher course every (bacterium, virus or other disease- threats, they developed their own from the windward side, secure the area year to keep their knowledge causing organism) or toxins that can course on biological weapons. Hubert and perform a first reconnaissance.” up-to-date. Next NATO Skywatch: Capt. Bartram celebrates his Medical Squadron bids 9 February Also in this issue: 50th Link Manager Course farewell to Dr. Markowski Submissions due by: See page 3. See page 3. 1 February 2 NATO Skywatch 26 January 2007 26 January 2007 NATO Skywatch 3 Capt. Bartram celebrates his 50th Link Manager Course By Capt. Phyllis Kent On 17 January 2007, Capt. Rolf Bartram, GEAF, instructed the Link Manager Course for the 50th time since it began in Aug 2001. E-3A Component Comman- der Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Schmidt presented Capt Bartram with his personal coin, a letter of appreciation and a “Well-Done Certificate,” with many thanks for his dedication and effort. Bartram, an Instructor Surveillance Controller and Chief of the Training Wing Surveillance Controller section, has been with the component since May 1991. He initially developed the Link Manager Course to help base Surveillance Operators and Controllers learn more about the link capabilities that are available on the E-3A. Capt. Rolf Bartram is awarded a The course has since been opened ‘Well Done’ certificate by E-3A to Passive Controllers, Weapons Component Commander Brig. Gen. Controllers and Tactical Directors. Stephan D. Schmidt for the He has instructed approximately achievement of instructing his 50th 1,100 Component members and 259 Link Manager Course. personnel from outside agencies, and Photo illustration Andrea Hohenforst has flown 376 sorties totaling 2,250- Bartram described the course as, explain that the course is an excellent link manager flying hours. The student “…something out of the ordinary.” opportunity to work with other units make-up has included army, navy and other countries in order to solve The 50th Link Manager Course has and air force personnel from multiple When asked if he liked teaching the link problems and to make the marked an important milestone for CAOCs, CRCs, PATRIOT sites, as well course, he responded, “This is actually students’ jobs and their associated Capt Bartram, the Training Wing, as a Euro fighter pilot. what I call my hobby.” He went on to tasks easier and the E-3A Component. NATO Flight Surgeon Dr. Markus Markowski (third from left) made his Medical Squadron bids farewell to last flight to Miami by TCA. Photo courtesy Medical Squadron Dr. Markowski During his six years at the Component Markowski forged a strong working relationship with the Fire Brigade, introducing special training for the rescue services. He also became involved in Egress and ICCS training for FOB personnel and later in IDT preparation and training. Markowski was indispensable in the revision of the international Flight Surgeon’s Manual, its first update since publication in 1982. Markowski also expanded his medical skills by attending training in chirotherapy, natural medicine and nutrition. He recently gained formal recognition as GP (Fachartz f. Allgemeinmed.). His dedication to his patients will not be forgotten and he will be sorely missed in the Medical Squadron. He has not moved far from the Component, having joined forces with former Medical Squadron Commander, Dr. Bernd Doerge, in his Medical The Medical Squadron had to bid was on a TDY to Miami at the end Air Force Captain – full of enthusiasm, Practice in Übach-Palenberg. farewell to Flight Surgeon Dr. Markus of 2006. professionalism and charm. He quickly Markowski, who left from the German became an integral part of the medical We bid Dr. Markowski a fond farewell Air Force on 31 December. Markowski joined the Component team, endearing himself to staff and and wish him good luck and success His last flight as a NATO Flight Surgeon in September 2000 as a young German patients alike. in his new partnership. Commander own and do not necessarily reflect the official views of, or endorsement by, the North Atlantic Treaty Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Schmidt Organization. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does Chief, Public Information Office not constitute an endorsement by NATO of the products or services advertised. Submissions are due 2Lt. Jolene Bottor seven days before publication and may be edited for style and space. Send articles and classified Editor advertisements to the NAEWF E-3A Component Public Information Office (PIO), Postfach 433007, Volume 23, No. 2 26 January 2007 SMSgt. Johan Hijmenberg D-52511 Geilenkirchen, or base distribution Mail Stop 33. Call PIO at (02451) 632480 or fax (02451) NATO Skywatch is an authorized, unofficial 7936 or e-mail [email protected]. commercial enterprise newspaper published For paid advertisements call Hub Durlinger Media at +31 (46) 452-9292 or fax +31 (46) 452-9285. under exclusive written agreement with the NAEW & CF E-3A Component by Pollaert Mediacenter, Articles may be reproduced after permission has been obtained from the editor, provided mention Postbus 1234, 6040 KE Roermond, +31 (475) 370 280. Opinions expressed by contributors are their is made of NATO Skywatch. 4 NATO Skywatch 26 January 2007 able to conduct the full range of its demilitarization project in the world. missions, from high to low intensity, but emphasizes the likelihood that Local impact NATO will need to carry out a greater The destruction process is being number and range of smaller carried out in a purpose-built operations. production line within a military maintenance depot in Kamyanets- Among the different requirements Podilskyy, which is situated some NATO sets priorities for new outlined, the document defines NATO’s 450 kilometres southwest of Kiev. These include evacuations, disaster capabilities for next 15 years top priorities, starting with joint The project will create more than management, counter terrorism, and Meeting in Riga, NATO Heads of expeditionary forces and the capability 60 jobs for local people. acting as ‘an initial entry force’ for State and Government endorsed the to deploy and sustain them. larger, follow-on forces. It can number Comprehensive Political Guidance, a To mark the beginning of the up to 25,000 troops and start to deploy major policy document that sets out The Guidance supports the Alliance’s process, a ceremony was held at the after five days’ notice and sustain itself the priorities for all Alliance capability 1999 Strategic Concept; it does not Kamyanets-Podilskyy depot, attended for operations lasting 30 days or longer issues, planning disciplines and replace it.