15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection

Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 PFE Exam Facts & Format 1.2 The WAPS Scoring System 1.3 The Tested AFH 1 Chapters & Study Strategy

2 Professionalism (AFH 1, Chapter 1)

2.1 The USAF Professional & the Profession of Arms 2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues 2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

3 Military Organization & Command (AFH 1, Chapter 5)

3.1 The United States Armed Forces 3.2 The Military Departments & Services 3.3 Military Command Structure & Combatant Commands 3.4 The Air Force Total Force 3.5 Air Force Organizational Structure

4 Enlisted Force Development I (AFH 1, Chapter 7A–7D)

4.1 Leadership Levels 4.2 The Enlisted Force Structure & Tiers 4.3 Duty Titles & Special Positions 4.4 Force Development & the Competency Framework

5 Enlisted Force Development II (AFH 1, Chapter 7E–7H)

5.1 Training Responsibilities & Upgrade Training 5.2 Professional Military Education 5.3 The Community College of the Air Force 5.4 Continuing Education & Voluntary Programs

6 Assessments & Recognition (AFH 1, Chapter 8)

6.1 The Airman Comprehensive Assessment 6.2 Performance Evaluations & the EPB 6.3 Reenlistments, Retention & Continuation 6.4 Awards & Decorations

7 Enlisted Promotions (AFH 1, Chapter 9)

7.1 Promotion Systems & Programs 7.2 Promotion Cycles & Eligibility 7.3 Preparation & Individual Responsibilities 7.4 Promotion Testing & Test Control 7.5 Evaluation Boards & Central Selection

8 Personnel Programs & Benefits (AFH 1, Chapter 11)

8.1 Benefits & Services 8.2 Leave & Authorized Absences 8.3 Military Associations & Civilian Programs

9 Finance, Manpower & Resources (AFH 1, Chapter 12)

9.1 Individual Finances & Allowances 9.2 Official Travel Expenses & Allowances 9.3 Manpower Management 9.4 Resource Management & Stewardship 9.5 Environmental Commitment

10 Developing Organizations (AFH 1, Chapter 13)

10.1 Strategic Thinking & Results Focus 10.2 Resources & Organizational Structure 10.3 Change Management & Problem Solving

11 Developing Others (AFH 1, Chapter 14)

11.1 Teamwork & Team Dynamics 11.2 Develops People: Mentoring, Coaching & Feedback 11.3 Service Mindset & Fostering Effective Relationships 11.4 Leadership: Styles, Power & Influence

12 Developing Self I (AFH 1, Chapter 15A–15C)

12.1 Accountability & Self-Management 12.2 Military Communication 12.3 Preparing to Communicate

13 Developing Self II (AFH 1, Chapter 15D–15F)

13.1 Written Communication 13.2 Spoken Communication 13.3 Electronic Messaging

14 Developing Ideas (AFH 1, Chapter 16)

14.1 What We Know: Priorities & Innovation 14.2 Cognitive Processes & Critical Thinking 14.3 Informed Decision-Making 14.4 What We Don't Know: Uncertainty & Assumptions

15 Emergency Management (AFH 1, Chapter 17)

15.1 Air Force Emergency Management, Disasters & Hazards 15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection 15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery 15.4 Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention 15.5 Risk Management

16 Security (AFH 1, Chapter 18)

16.1 Integrated Defense & Force Protection Conditions 16.2 Operations Security (OPSEC) 16.3 Information Protection & Classification 16.4 Information Access, Cybersecurity & Mobility 16.5 Antiterrorism

17 Standards of Conduct (AFH 1, Chapter 19)

17.1 A Way of Life: Oaths, Standards & Off-Duty Conduct 17.2 The Law of War 17.3 The Code of Conduct

18 Enforcing Military Standards (AFH 1, Chapter 20)

18.1 The Air Force Inspection System 18.2 Individual Accountability & Corrective Action 18.3 Appropriate Working Relationships & Fraternization 18.4 Addressing Misconduct & Prohibited Behavior

19 Fitness & Readiness (AFH 1, Chapter 22)

19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness 19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment 19.3 Nutrition & Performance 19.4 Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment Programs 19.5 Readiness State of Mind & Resilience

20 Military Customs & Courtesies (AFH 1, Chapter 24)

20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting 20.2 Respect for the Flag 20.3 Respect for Individuals 20.4 Ceremonies & Events 20.5 Drill & Formation 20.6 Preserving Our Heritage

21 SJT Format & Competencies

21.1 SJT Format & Mechanics 21.2 Airman Leadership Qualities (ALQs) 21.3 Foundational Competencies & Behaviors

22 SJT Reasoning, Scenarios & Traps

22.1 SJT Reasoning Strategies 22.2 Sample SJT Scenarios 22.3 SJT Traps & Best Practices

15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

A three-to-five minute steady tone indicates a disaster or incident is imminent or in progress; a wavering tone indicates an attack or hostile act is imminent or in progress.

Alarm green means attack is not probable; alarm yellow means attack is probable in less than 30 minutes; alarm red or blue means air or ground attack is imminent or in progress; alarm black means attack is over with CBRN contamination or UXO suspected or present.

Alarm yellow directs MOPP 2 (or as directed); alarm red and alarm black direct MOPP 4 (or as directed).

At MOPP 4 the Airman wears field gear, overgarment, footwear, mask/hood, and handwear, and carries nothing additional.

Split MOPP divides an installation into two or more CBRN zones rather than declaring the entire installation contaminated.

Last updated: August 2026

Preparedness Actions

AFH 1 sets the standard: installations "must take actions to protect, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of an attack or incident to ensure we can conduct prompt, sustained, and decisive operations in a contested environment." Preparedness actions should be considered mission critical and given a high priority when the threat of an enemy attack is high , and they depend on intelligence, the installation's threat probabilities, and recommendations provided by subject matter experts .

The individual obligation: "DAF personnel should understand the importance of knowing an installation's preparedness actions well before an attack."

Warning and Notification

Every installation must have a rapid and effective system to quickly disseminate emergency notifications — watches, warnings, evacuation routes, and protective actions. Personnel are "highly encouraged to enroll in mobile device notifications."

Attack warning signals are used to posture installations for attacks, warn of attacks in progress, initiate post-attack recovery actions, and return the installation to normal state of readiness. AFH 1 notes that variations may be used in some geographical regions , and that personnel will be notified of these variations before departure of home station and/or upon arrival into the region.

Tones and Announcements

Signal What it means Individual actions

Three-to-five minute steady tone A disaster or incident is imminent or in progress Be alert, take cover or evacuate to safety, follow instructions, and account for personnel

Three-to-five minute wavering tone An attack or hostile act is imminent or in progress Be alert, execute security measures, follow instructions, and account for personnel

"Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown" An active shooter incident is in progress Remain calm and implement lockdown procedures

"Shelter-in-place" A natural disaster warning or technological disaster warning requiring personnel to take shelter indoors Natural : take refuge in an interior room without windows and doors and take cover. Technological : take refuge in a pre-designated room, shut off heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and cover vents and doors with plastic

"All clear" The immediate disaster or threat has ended Remain alert, account for personnel, and report hazards, injuries, and damages

Steady versus wavering is the highest-frequency item in Chapter 17. The memory hook: a steady tone means a steady, non-hostile hazard (disaster/incident); a wavering tone means a hostile act.

Note also the two different shelter-in-place procedures — interior room for natural hazards; sealed pre-designated room with HVAC shut off for technological hazards.

Alarm Conditions

Alarm Condition MOPP Actions

Green Attack is not probable MOPP 0 (or as directed) Normal wartime conditions; resume operations; continue recovery actions

Yellow Attack is probable in less than 30 minutes MOPP 2 (or as directed) Protect and cover assets; go to protective shelter or seek best protection with overhead cover

Red / Blue Air or ground attack is imminent or in progress. The "Blue" variation may be used at some installations within the Pacific MOPP 4 (or as directed) Seek immediate protection with overhead cover; report observed activity or attacks

Black Attack is over and CBRN contamination and/or UXO hazards are suspected or present MOPP 4 (or as directed) Perform self-aid/buddy care; remain under overhead cover or within shelter unless directed otherwise

Alarm black has three release categories: Initial Release — CBRN and specialized teams (EOD, Damage Assessment, etc.) ; Limited Release — Post Attack Reconnaissance teams ; General Release — mission-essential personnel only .

Three numbers to lock down: green = MOPP 0 , yellow = MOPP 2 , red and black = MOPP 4 . And "less than 30 minutes" is the alarm yellow timing.

MOPP Levels

MOPP levels "quickly communicate the required individual protective equipment and protection levels for in-place forces to take in the event of CBRN operations or attack conditions." The installation commander determines the initial level , based on MOPP condition analysis, and adjusts levels as mission priorities and intelligence change. They are used in conjunction with alarm conditions .

MOPP Level Wear Carry
MOPP Ready Field gear (as directed) Overgarment, footwear, mask/hood, handwear
MOPP 0 Field gear Overgarment, footwear, mask/hood, handwear
MOPP 1 Field gear, overgarment Footwear, mask/hood, handwear
MOPP 2 Field gear, overgarment, footwear Mask/hood, handwear
MOPP 3 Field gear, overgarment, footwear, mask/hood Handwear
MOPP 4 Field gear, overgarment, footwear, mask/hood, handwear Nothing

The pattern is cumulative and easy to reconstruct: each level moves one item from carry to wear , in the order overgarment → footwear → mask/hood → handwear . At MOPP 4 everything is worn ; at MOPP 0 only field gear is worn .

Split MOPP is "a tactic used to divide an installation or operating location into two or more CBRN zones, rather than having to declare the entire installation contaminated." Where movement between zones is necessary, zone transition points are used to contain contamination while allowing the movement of people, equipment, and needed supplies.

Individual Protection

Individual protection comprises individual protective equipment, vaccinations and prophylaxes, protective shelters, evacuation, relocation, exposure control, contamination control, and warning and notification systems , taken in stages equivalent to the urgency and nature of the threat.

The ground crew ensemble is "the best immediate protective equipment against chemical agents" — regardless of the type of agent, concentration, or method of attack . It is a whole-body system protecting against chemical-biological warfare agents, toxins, and radiological particulates , consisting of:

Protective mask with filters
Overgarment
Protective gloves
Footwear covers or overboots

It also includes M8 and M9 detector paper , reactive skin decontamination lotion , and M295 decontamination kits .

Note the limit established in Section 17B: the ensemble is the best protection against chemical agents , but it is not designed to protect against toxic industrial materials — for those, evacuate .

Sheltering

All installations are required to conduct threat-based shelter planning. The installation commander is responsible for establishing a shelter management plan and should designate responsibility for preparing and operating each shelter .

Shelters are "structures that protect personnel from the effects of CBRN or hazardous material release over extended periods," and shelter selection is based on structural and personnel housing capabilities in relation to potential types of disasters.

Personnel may be required to shelter-in-place when the type or extent of the hazard is unknown or evacuation at the time would be dangerous . To keep the inside of facilities from becoming contaminated, occupants will close all windows and doors and turn off ventilation systems at the time of the suspected attack.

Collective Protection Systems (COLPRO) can be fixed-site or expeditionary , providing protection from CBRN agents by utilizing an overpressure system to keep threat agents outside , ultimately allowing occupants to work or rest inside the facility without wearing protective gear . Many have integrated contaminated control areas where contaminated personnel can enter once decontaminated and outer garments are removed .

The overpressure mechanism is the defining feature of COLPRO and the detail exam items key on.

Critical Resource Protection

Prior to a CBRN attack, every installation must determine which equipment and assets can be stored, protected, or covered — because protecting these vital resources will minimize, or completely remove, the requirement to decontaminate them for mission use after an attack.

The specific guidance:

Aircraft, support vehicles, aerospace ground equipment, and munitions should be moved inside or covered to the maximum extent possible

Bulk supplies should be placed in shelters or under overhead cover

If equipment cannot be placed under overhead cover, it must be covered or wrapped with at least one layer of barrier material

When possible, use two layers of barrier material to cover the tops of vehicles and equipment — so contamination can be removed, safely discarded, and replaced

Personnel should be trained and take care when removing barriers to prevent contamination transfer

One layer minimum, two layers on tops when possible is the numeric detail worth memorizing.