nuclear-news

US marines try to deal with dangers of ionising radiation

Marines learn how to detect invisible threat during course DVIDS 18 Oct 12 CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Deadly radiation kills if it goes undetected, so it falls upon specially trained Marines to alert units of the unseen danger.

More than 30 Marines from various units within the 2nd Marine Logistics Group learned how to counter radiation by using the AN/PDR-77 during the Monitor Survey Reconnaissance Course here, from Oct. 15 to 18.

“Every unit is responsible for having a select number of Marines who are certified with this equipment,” said Sgt. Steven D. Potts, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialist with Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd MLG.

It could possibly save the lives of many servicemembers, he added.
CBRN defense specialists trained the Marines to use the AN/PDR-77, a small, box-shaped sensor that detects alpha, beta, gamma and X-ray radiation.

“This [course] provides a tool for the commanding officer if we ever face a CBRN attack,” said Sgt. Jason L. Stacy, a CBRN defense specialist with CLR-27, 2nd MLG. “These reconnaissance teams can find the extent of the contamination or radiation, what type of chemical is present or how much radiation is present, and we can use the area or find a clean route through or around it.”  http://www.dvidshub.net/news/96383/marines-learn-detect-invisible-threat-during-course#.UIG0yW_A9dM#ixzz29mIcEJOX

October 19, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, USA