Firefighters from the 97th Civil Engineer
Squadron practice clearing a T-1 Jayhawk during egress training on the flight
line, June 8. Because Altus AFB is the training base for U.S. Air Force C-17
Globemaster III cargo aircraft, U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling
aircraft and soon to be U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus refueling aircraft. (U.S.
Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Megan E. Acs/Released)
Story by Airman 1st ClassMegan Acs
ALTUS AIR
FORCE BASE, Okla. – Firefighters from the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron
participated in egress training on a U.S. Air Force T-1 Jayhawk on the flight
line, June 7-8.
Egress training involves learning how to enter
an aircraft to rescue any personnel on board should they become incapacitated
during an emergency situation as well as learning how to shut off the aircraft.
”As firemen,
upon declaration of any aircraft emergency, we are typically tasked to make
entry into the aircraft if needed, and pull the pilots or any personnel that
are on the aircraft off the aircraft during any emergency,” said U.S. Air Force
Tech. Sgt. Robert Davis, who is a 97th fire station chief. “In this training,
we’re learning all the safety features and hazards associated with the
aircraft.”
A few
precautions the firefighters take are operating at safe distances when
approaching the aircraft and knowing proper shut down procedures to isolate the
power if the aircraft is involved in a fire.
“Typically
we only train on the Altus AFB assigned aircraft, which are the KC-135
Statotanker refueling aircraft and the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, but
every chance we get, we try to get the Vance aircraft to come down here too,
for further training,” said Davis.
While the T-1 is not an aircraft stationed at
Altus AFB, it is stationed nearby at Vance AFB, and makes an occasional stop at
Altus. For this reason, Altus firefighters must be prepared to egress the
aircraft in the event of a mishap.
“This
training helps us at Altus AFB by preparing for any type of aircraft emergency
situation, whether it occurs here or at our auxiliary airfield at
Clinton-Sherman,” said Davis. “While this aircraft isn’t assigned to Altus, we
are still responsible for the aircraft during any kind of emergency
declaration.”
Because
Altus AFB is the training base for the C-17, KC-135 aircraft and soon to be
U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus refueling aircraft, proficient knowledge of
aircraft emergency procedures is a top priority.
“My guys
would definitely know what to do during any emergency situation regarding
aircraft. We continuously train and the firefighters are required to perform
exercises based on the training they receive,” said Davis. “There are
benchmarks that must be met in order to pass exercises, and if they don’t, we
do it over again until its right. They all understand that the aircraft are our
mission and it’s imperative we maintain high standards regarding fire
protection for the aircraft.”
