Airman 1st Class Michael Brown, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment journeyman, places Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear in a bin at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 12. Brown is one of three Airmen tasked to inventory all of the MOPP gear in preparation for a training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kasey Close/Released)
Airman 1st Class Abraham Reyes, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment journeyman, attaches canisters to a M50 gas mask before leak testing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 12. Leak testing is conducted on all gas masks every two years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kasey Close/Released)
Airman 1st Class Abraham Reyes, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment journeyman, places a cover over a M50 gas mask before a leak test at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 12. Reyes uses the Joint Service Mask Leakage Tester to conduct the test to ensure the mask is in proper working order. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kasey Close/Released)
by Senior Airman Kasey Close
49th Wing Public Affairs
9/13/2012 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- When Airmen think about Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear there are usually a lot of moans and groans just thinking about it. However, the Airmen who work in the Individual Protection Equipment office ensure that they are in proper working order for Airmen to use for training and down range purposes at all times.
The IPE office provides not only MOPP gear, but also equipment ranging from weapons to cold weather gear and body armor.
"My favorite part is engaging with customers knowing that what I do directly supports and effects the mission and war efforts," said Master Sgt. Ronald Campbell, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron IPE section chief. "What we do here enables members to have the gear they need when they need it so they can return home safely."
IPE is responsible for inspecting and maintaining more than 200,000 items in accordance with Air Force regulations. For example, they are required to perform a leak test on all gas masks every two years with the Joint Service Mask Leakage Tester.
"I enjoy the job here because you get to see behind the scenes, and how important it is to the big picture of things to maintain the gear here," said Airman 1st Class Abraham Reyes, 49th LRS IPE journeyman.
