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Airmen hold DFPs

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11th WG Airmen step up ATSO training

11th Wing Airmen hold defensive fighting positions during the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 25, 2018. The ATSO exercise was comprised of several stages, including holding DFPs, applying self-aid buddy care, properly donning mission oriented protective posture gear, and identifying and cordoning off unexploded ordnances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Michael S. Murphy)

Airman fires weapon

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11th WG Airmen step up ATSO training

Senior Airman Christian Willis, 11th Security Forces Squadron training instructor, fires blank rounds from a M240B machine gun mounted to a Humvee during the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 25, 2018. The ATSO was designed to be as realistic as possible to increase quality of training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Michael S. Murphy)

Airmen don MOPP gear

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11th WG Airmen step up ATSO training

11th Wing Airmen don their mission oriented protective posture gear in a mock hardened shelter during the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 25, 2018. MOPP gear protects Airmen against nuclear, biological and chemical contamination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Michael S. Murphy)

Airmen cordon UXO

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11th WG Airmen step up ATSO training

11th Wing Airmen cordon an unexploded ordnance during the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 25, 2018. Cordoning UXOs sets a protective perimeter for other Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Michael S. Murphy)

Airman puts on glove

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11th WG Airmen step up ATSO training

Airman 1st Class Ian Lowe, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, puts on protective gloves during the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 25, 2018. The ATSO is geared toward the Secretary of Defense’s goal of regaining full spectrum readiness to deter combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Michael S. Murphy)

Airmen apply charcoal pad

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11th WG Airmen step up ATSO training

Capt. Lindsay Policha, right, 11th Surgical Command operating room nurse, applies a charcoal pad to Airman 1st Class Ian Lowe, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, during the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 25, 2018. Charcoal pads are used for decontaminating gear from nuclear, biological and chemical attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Michael S. Murphy)

Mock weapons sit in cabinet

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11th WG Airmen step up ATSO training

Training weapons sit in a cabinet during the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 25, 2018. The ATSO is geared towards the Secretary of Defense’s goal of regaining full spectrum readiness to deter combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Michael S. Murphy)

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. – 11th Wing Airmen participate in the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise. The ATSO exercise was comprised of several stages, including holding DFPs, applying self-aid buddy care, properly donning mission oriented protective posture gear, and identifying and cordoning off unexploded ordnances. The ATSO was designed to be as realistic as possible to increase quality of training.

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