Training Before the Call: Patriot 26 Builds Rescue Teams Before Disaster Strikes

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley August 28, 2026 at 03:45PM During Patriot 26, National Guard Airmen and Soldiers trained alongside civilian emergency responders at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center and Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 24-28, 2026, to strengthen technical rescue and domestic response capabilities. The training brought together firefighters, medics, CERFP search and extraction personnel and civilian rescue experts to practice rope rescue, structural collapse response, breaching, lifting and other skills needed during large-scale emergencies.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/573484/training-before-call-patriot-26-builds-rescue-teams-before-disaster-strikes"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2608/9894010/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Training Before the Call: Patriot 26 Builds Rescue Teams Before Disaster Strikes" /></a>

152nd CES firefighters build readiness through aircraft rescue training

Story by Airman Aaron Lopez August 28, 2026 at 02:16PM Firefighters from the 152nd Civil Engineering Squadron conducted live-fire aircraft rescue and firefighting training Aug. 4, 2026, at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Mississippi. The training provided military and civilian firefighters hands-on experience with large-frame aircraft, hose lines, nozzles and specialized aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles while maintaining required certifications. The propane-fueled exercise exposed firefighters to heat and fire behavior in a controlled environment, strengthening their readiness to respond to aircraft emergencies and other all-hazards incidents.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/573478/152nd-ces-firefighters-build-readiness-through-aircraft-rescue-training"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2608/9852015/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="152nd CES firefighters build readiness through aircraft rescue training" /></a>

Pa. National Guard conducts helicopter orientation for emergency responders

Story by Wayne Hall August 28, 2026 at 09:31AM ST MARYS, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Army National Guard conducted a helicopter orientation training event for emergency responders Aug. 26 at the St. Marys Municipal Airport. About 80 firefighters and rescue personnel from several fire companies in the communities surrounding the airport and the Guard’s regional flight routes attended the unique training experience.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/573442/pa-national-guard-conducts-helicopter-orientation-emergency-responders"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2608/9892972/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Pa. National Guard conducts helicopter orientation for emergency responders" /></a>

121 ARW Airmen strengthened NATO partnerships in Portugal

Story by Staff Sgt. Ivy Thomas August 26, 2026 at 06:13AM LAJES FIELD AIR BASE, Portugal- Airmen and firefighters from the 121st Air Refueling Wing (ARW), the 65th Air Base Group, and the Lajes Field Fire Department trained together during a Deployment for Training (DFT) at Lajes Field Air Base, Portugal, Aug. 3–15, 2026. The two-week training mission gave Airmen hands-on experience with real-world operations, strengthened NATO partnerships, and enhanced readiness through shared expertise and hands-on collaboration.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/573232/121-arw-airmen-strengthened-nato-partnerships-portugal"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2608/9870949/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="121 ARW Airmen strengthened NATO partnerships in Portugal" /></a>

121 ARW Airmen strengthened NATO partnerships in Portugal

Story by Staff Sgt. Ivy Thomas August 26, 2026 at 06:13AM LAJES FIELD AIR BASE, Portugal- Airmen and firefighters from the 121st Air Refueling Wing (ARW), the 65th Air Base Group, and the Lajes Field Fire Department trained together during a Deployment for Training (DFT) at Lajes Field Air Base, Portugal, Aug. 3–15, 2026. The two-week training mission gave Airmen hands-on experience with real-world operations, strengthened NATO partnerships, and enhanced readiness through shared expertise and hands-on collaboration.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/573232/121-arw-airmen-strengthened-nato-partnerships-portugal"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2608/9870949/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="121 ARW Airmen strengthened NATO partnerships in Portugal" /></a>