SoundCommander^® is a Big Weapon in Chemical Warfare Training at Hickam AFB

The response starts with sound in chemical warfare training at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. In training – and in real life should an actual incident occur, operations begin with an audible warning tone, followed by voice instructions. Being really loud and clearly understood are key requirements for successful training, according to Staff Sergeant Margaret Scruggs, who designs and runs the chemical warfare training exercises. That’s why the base purchased a SOUNDCOMMANDER® SC3500 wide-area loudspeaker system that provides 360-degree sound projection at distances up to 800 meters (1/2 mile).

“We needed a Giant-Voice capability to warn everyone within earshot on the base when we do these exercises,” she said. “They are unannounced, and we must make the base populace aware of what’s going on. We have civilians, military personnel and families on the base at any given time, and precise instructions are necessary for all of them.”

Home of the 15th Wing of the United States Air Force, Hickam AFB is part of a joint operation with Naval Station Pearl Harbor and is adjacent to Honolulu International Airport. The chemical warfare training is conducted in a wooded area on the Air Force base. The SC3500 system is able to overcome acoustical barriers posed by the trees.

For portable operations, the six-speaker array mounts on a heavy-duty, adjustable tripod equipment stand with leveling leg for uneven terrain. Powered by its 500-Watt amplifier/control module, it projects audio up to 131-dB continuous (RMS). It replaced a smaller, less powerful loudspeaker set, which had replaced a bullhorn.

“The bullhorn and the smaller loudspeakers just didn’t cut it for what we need,” Sgt. Scruggs said. “People tell us our new SoundCommander is so loud it sometimes scares them. Scary is good; we know we’re getting our point across. People react better when they hear better, and they need to be able to hear and understand very precise instructions – especially if they are not familiar with the base. We also need to be loud enough to be heard over the high ambient noise levels on the flightline.”

Because the SC3500 is deployable, Scruggs noted it can be used for other emergency situations anywhere at the base.

The SoundCommander SC3500 wide-area loudspeaker system from IMCORP is used for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Survival Skills Training at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. The base needed a speaker with Giant-Voice capability to warn everyone within earshot on the base during exercises and give precise instructions.