JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 108th Logistics Readiness Squadron, a New Jersey Air National Guard unit, is leveraging technology to streamline the mobilization process and improve efficiency for 108th Wing Airmen.
As part of its mission, the 108th LRS is responsible for issuing M-50 Joint Service General Purpose Masks to Airmen, including those preparing to deploy. M-50 Gas masks primary function is to filter out dispersed chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear (CBRN) agents that can cause considerable damage even when inhaled at minor concentrations.
“The Wing's readiness requires every member to have a gas mask,” explained Tech. Sgt. Mario Lopez, 108th LRS Individual Protection Equipment noncommissioned officer in charge. “Our goal is 100% issuance.”
There are several instances when a mask may need to be exchanged, including when an Airman has undergone facial surgery, experienced a significant change in weight since their initial fit test or the mask is due for replacement as part of a scheduled inspection program.
In these situations, the previous process required LRS personnel to send returned masks to outside contractors for functional testing and cleaning, explained Senior Airman Aaron Ruiz, 108th LRS IPE Journeyman
“We would have to wait for the masks to come back before we could reissue them,” Ruiz said.
Now, the process of cleaning and verifying the integrity of M-50 masks can be completed in-house using the Joint Service Mask Leak Tester. The five-step process allows trained 108th LRS personnel to test the mask and its components, including inspecting for damaged or broken parts and verifying the mask's ability to maintain a proper seal amongst other requirements.
Bringing the testing process in-house reduces turnaround time and allows the 108th LRS to prepare masks for reissue more efficiently.
“We can now do a one-for-one swap,” Lopez said.
This helps ensure Airmen have the required equipment when they need it.