Squadron keeps Yokota safe, healthy for relief efforts

  • Published
  • By Airman John D. Partlow
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  When it comes to safety, most people think of things like protective goggles, ear protection and reflective belts, but there is more to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace -- and members of the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron at Yokota Air Base work diligently to do just that.

The men and women of the 374th AMDS ensure that Airmen around base are safe during operations and go the extra mile to ensure prudent safety precautions are implemented.
 
In order to ensure that Airmen are safe, technicians visit worksites where harmful elements come into play, such as those that potentially expose individuals to risks from harmful chemicals or radiation.

The 374th AMDS professionals assess these shops and issue personal protective equipment accordingly.

Each bioengineer technician sees the impact of their job and knows how important it is.

"The mission can't get done if everyone's sick," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Sweetman, 374th AMDS NCO in charge of environmental protection. "Part of our job is ... to make sure people aren't getting sick or injured because of their job's risks."

Since the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit northern Japan March 11, the bioengineer technicians have taken on more responsibility to ensure the safety of people living and working at Yokota AB.

With the on-going crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Yokota's bioengineers are working to ensure radiation levels on Yokota are safe.  These technicians test the air at two separate locations on base three times a day.

In addition to testing the air, they also regularly test the base water supply and screen aircraft coming in to Yokota for radiation exposure.

While radiation levels are currently not a concern for Yokota, the 374th AMDS professionals repeatedly test to ensure no one is at risk.

"We are taking these precautions to put Yokota members minds at ease about the nuclear situation," said Sergeant Sweetman.

Without the constant vigilance of the 374th AMDS personnel, the base would lack situational awareness on the status of potential health risks around base. These Airmen continue to do their job to ensure Team Yokota members can carry on with peace of mind.

"I feel like we're actually contributing," said Sergeant Sweetman. "It's nice to not just see it on the news, but to actually take part in helping."