U.S. Air Force Reserve Command

06/29/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/30/2023 08:22

445th OSS tests new protective mask suited for wing C-17 aircrew

  • Published June 29, 2023
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --

Airmen from the 445th Operations Support Squad­ron's aircrew flight equipment (AFE) shop and 89th Airlift Squadron participated in a field testing and training event for the M69 Joint Service Aircrew Mask for Strategic Aircraft (JSAM SA) assembly, the new air­crew flying chem gear June 5-9.

The M69 JSAM SA assembly will replace the Mask Breath Unit-19P Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protec­tion (AERP) equipment. It is currently approved for all fixed-wing, non-ejection seat, non-pressure breathing large frame aircraft, such as the C-17 Globemaster III.

When the new masks arrived, they were unpacked with each one carefully inspected for defects or dam­age before being added to the inventory list.

Members with Headquarters Aircrew Flight Equip­ment and Air Force Life Cycle Management CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) De­fense Systems from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Mary­land participated with the 445th AFE for the equip­ment inspection and provided the training.

The deputy program executive officer for the AFLC­MC Agile Combat Support Directorate, Col. Carlos Qui­nones, was on hand to see how the inspec­tion process works and understand the new assembly in com­parison to the cur­rent MBU-19P AERP, as the six divisions under his director­ate provide materiel solutions, acquisition life cycle management and support equip­ment, among many other functions, to meet Air Force opera­tional needs.

Master Sgt. Di­ego Cancino, 445th Operations Support Squadron AFE flight chief, gave high re­marks about the new equipment compared to the current equip­ment being used.

"The new mask system is a breath of fresh air for both AFE as the equipment maintainers and aircrew as the end user," Cancino said. Our old legacy system, while proven effective, was beginning to show some age, and we felt that we were overdue an update."

Bryan McCoy, a U.S. Air Force Aircrew CBRN field­ing coordinator from Aberdeen provided training to 445th AFE Airmen and gave a presentation and dem­onstration to 89th AS aircrew members (pilot and loadmaster). The purpose was to share information and answer questions that aircrew members might have about M69 JSAM-SA.

The AFE shop will be individually fitting each air­crew member with the M69 mask and providing train­ing on use and wear.

"We are all really excited to implement this new mask to the field here," Cancino said. "The support and guidance we have received from our higher head­quarters leadership on implementation and fielding has also been some of the best I have ever experienced in my career."