Okinawa Regional Fire Department thanks Camp Foster Provost Marshal’s Office for five years of support

Key members of the Okinawa Regional Fire Department talk with members of Camp Foster Provost Marshal’s Office before an award ceremony May 19 to award Camp Foster PMO aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Camp Foster PMO received a unit award and seven other awards for individuals who played key roles while PMO supported the Okinawa Regional Fire Department for the last five years. Camp Foster PMO was in charge of translating all emergency calls that were made on and off-installations. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Douglas D. Simons/Released)

III Marine Expeditionary Force / Marine Corps Installations Pacific
Story by Cpl. Douglas Simons

Camp Foster Provost Marshal’s Office received numerous awards May 19 for their support of Okinawa Regional Fire Department on Camp Foster.
Camp Foster PMO received a unit award and seven other awards for individuals who played key roles while PMO supported the Okinawa Regional Fire Department for the last five years.
Members of Camp Foster PMO went above and beyond the call of duty according to Koichi Hirata, the chairman of Okinawa Prefectural Fire and Medical Dispatch Center Operational Counsel.
“We thank Foster PMO for supporting us for the past five years,” said Hirata. “They did more for us than we asked of them, which made our success possible.”
The two parties made a fantastic team, according to Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Loney, Provost Marshal, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan.
We really enjoyed working with the Okinawa Regional Fire Department,” said Loney. “We thank them for being gracious to us for the past five years, and hope to work together again soon.”
Working together with our Japanese neighbors allows Marine Corps Installations Pacific to strengthen power projection with our allies and partners, enabling us to preserve regional peace, stability and security; and enables operating force readiness to guarantee victory.

Wyoming Army National Guard bags sand to bolster river's banks

Wyoming Army National Guard Sgt. Jordan McDonald, of Evanston, and Spc. Miura Yuki, of Laramie, fill sandbags on the bank along the North Platte River in Saratoga,Wyoming, on May 20. Gov. Matt Mead activated more than 70 members of the Wyoming National Guard to assist local emergency management officials with flood prevention and mitigation efforts in light of rising spring temperatures. (Wyoming Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy McGuire)

Wyoming National Guard
Story by Maj. Thomas Blackburn

The North Platte River is rising in Saratoga, Wyoming, the dark brown water creeping up to the edges of the banks, looking for a way to spill over.
A task force of various government agency members arrived Wednesday and Thursday to help local officials prevent those waters from finding a way into town.
Making up a portion of that task force are members of the Wyoming National Guard.
Forty-four soldiers and airmen were activated by Gov. Matt Mead Thursday to help local authorities and community members place sandbags along the North Platte as preventative measures as part of a rapid action team. With warm weekend weather expected to cause extensive snowmelt, and the area already saturated with fresh rain over the past couple weeks, the Guard was brought in to help deter flooding at critical locations. It is a mission that requires planning and anticipation to ensure the community is safe.
"In 2014, we came out here, but it was more urgent, more expedient," said Master Sgt. James Burghard, from the 84th Civil Support Team, in Cheyenne. "But this is a learning process. We built relationships in 2014, and now we've been asked to come out and work with the community, work together to solve the problem before it gets bad."
This is already the second state activation for the Wyoming National Guard for flood response this year. Earlier this month, troops were brought in to help in Lander and Hudson after increased rainfall and snowmelt caused flooding in that area. In Saratoga, guard teams have assisted previously in 2014 and 2011.
Burghard has become experienced in flooding. He was part of an initial assessment team in Lander, and was in Lusk last year and Saratoga in 2014. Those lessons learned have helped the rapid action teams in Saratoga.
"High water is expected Sunday, so we sent survey crews out to mark sandbag lines, height and distance. We learned in 2014 it makes a difference, makes the sandbagging go faster."
Some members of the RAT are experiencing the floods for the first time, including each RAT leader.
Right in the middle of annual training, 2nd Lt. Ethan Valiquette was trying to stay busy and observe his new infantry platoon training at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center. The call came for a RAT leader and he got the opportunity to do his first state active duty mission.
"I'm fortunate to have the chance to do this, help our community and be a part of this," the young officer said. His team is made up of soldiers from various units, including the 133rd Engineer Company, 1041st Mutli-role Bridge Company and the 67th Army Band.
"I didn't even know all of these guys when we first got here," he said. But now, he is helping other soldiers fill sandbags by Saratoga’s 1st Street bridge.
On the other side of town, Capt. Klint Holscher of the Wyoming Air National Guard, was tossing deteriorated sandbags into garbage cans, sorting broken bags from viable ones in a sandbag graveyard. His team was busy loading more bags to send down to staging points in town. Once done there, the Air Guard members were going to split up and protect critical infrastructure points in the town with sandbags.
"We staged quite a few bags here, and filled 2,700 today, and probably 3,000 yesterday," he said. His team arrived mid-afternoon on Thursday and quickly got to work. "This is my first flood, but some of these folks have been here before and have very good experience to rely on," he said, waving at the dozen Air Guard airmen working through multiple piles of dry sand.
"This is a rewarding experience," Holscher continued. "We train for this. You always want to help Wyoming's community in their backyard. We've had plenty of folks come out to say hi and help. It makes you feel good."
Back along the North Platte, by the Deer Haven Trailer Park, Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Hauf walked atop a high river bank. He is with Valiquette's RAT, and they have been going since 5 a.m.
"We're working the high-priority areas right now, being as preventative as possible," he said, looking out over the swift-moving river. He is a member of the 84th CST, like Burghard. "We are going to protect the critical infrastructure here, all the way to the bridge," he said. Behind him are row of homes, with some residents coming out to give thanks to the various soldiers lugging sandbags farther down the bank.
"I didn't expect this," Valiquette said, referencing his first flood mission and the reception from the local community. "But it's worth it," he added, as he watched another sandbag land on the bank to prevent the North Platte spilling into a grassy yard.

180th Fighter Wing Tests Airmen Response During Active Shooter Exercise Login to

U.S. Air Force firefighters with the 180th Fighter Wing in Swanton, Ohio treat a victim with simulated gunshot wounds after Security Forces cleared the building of all suspected shooters during an active shooter exercise on base on May 15, 2016. The 180th performed a base-wide active shooter response exercise and inspection to prepare Airmen to survive an incident on base or in their civilian lives. (Ohio Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nic Kuetemeyer/released)

180th Fighter Wing Ohio National Guard
Story by Tech. Sgt. Nic Kuetemeyer

Senior Master Sgt. Greg Chonko, Wing Inspection Team manager at the 180FW, is crystal clear on the purpose for these training exercises.

“If we affect one person positively, even in their civilian life,” said Chonko, “They may end up being able to help somebody.”

National Guard members are constantly training for scenarios that happen only to military members. It’s easy to forget that an active shooter incident could happen anytime, anywhere.

“Active shooter scenarios are dynamic situations,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Dellisanti, 180FW inspection scheduler. “They require an active response.”

That element of randomness has driven a change in the response training military members receive. Early strategies, developed after the Columbine shooting, were based on what was already familiar: fire and tornado drills. In those early days, before anyone could predict how common active shooter situations would become, the thought was to essentially wait until law enforcement arrived.

Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Escape, or A.L.I.C.E. training, is an updated methodology empowering military members and civilians to give themselves a better chance to survive. A.L.I.C.E. trains people to communicate with others, form plans, build barricades, execute escape routes and at last resort: fight the attacker to neutralize the threat. These actions all take place before law enforcement can respond, usually within the first five to six minutes.

“ALICE training provides a comprehensive set of options that have the potential to improve survivability and rescue casualties during an active shooter incident,” said Lt. Philip Cook, ALICE instructor with the Toledo Police Department. “It’s when the intended victims take proactive measures to interdict the shooter that the best outcomes occur.”

After months of planning, enlisting the help of 31 inspectors, 21 inspection team members, eight actors and coordinating firefighters and Security Forces response teams, the exercise was a success. According to the inspection team and Security Forces Squadron, 180FW Airmen did well responding to the threat.

“Overall the base responded well and we got some good feedback on how to improve,” said Dellisanti, boiling down the ultimate goal of day. “We need to keep people safe.”

Dellisanti and the inspection teams said once the exercise started, the entire base took action. Airmen were quick to notify the Security Forces Squadron, get to safe shelter or escape and response teams were dispatched within minutes.

“It is very encouraging that the 180FW takes this real-world threat seriously and is willing to provide its members with this incredibly valuable training,” said Cook.

B-52 bomber crashes on Guam

Anderson air force base says seven crew members were unhurt when aircraft from Pacific bomb squadron came down on flight line moments after takeoff.

A B-52H Stratofortress bomber has been destroyed in a fiery crash shortly after takeoff at a US air force base in Guam. All seven crew members survived and got away safely from the wreckage, military officials said.

The plane crashed around 8.30am on Wednesday “on the flight line” at Andersen air force base, which adjoins the village of Yigo in the US territory, the base said in a statement.

Tight Squeeze: Base FES exercises confined spaces rescue skills

Robins firefighters take part in confined space rescue training atop a C-130

78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Story by Jenny Gordon

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Lie down, then slowly scoot on your side or belly while wearing a head-to-toe protective suit and respirator, and you’ve just begun a day in the life of an aircraft mechanic who works inside a C-130 fuel tank.

It’s hot, dark, smells faintly of jet fuel – and you’ve only got inches to spare as you go about your job. It’s been compared to crawling and working inside of a toolbox, your car glove compartment or even under a bed. Doesn’t sound like a typical day in the office, does it?

When a mechanic works inside a confined space – a space that has limited or restricted means for entry or exit – a second individual is stationed outside to help monitor activities.

Should Jeremy Kahler, a 6-foot-2-inch aircraft electrician with the 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, suddenly lose consciousness inside an outboard fuel tank, it’s not his attendant’s job to enter that confined space to rescue him. That call goes to Robins Fire Emergency Services.

During a recently warm Thursday afternoon, just as 1 p.m. approached, six fire trucks arrived on the scene at Bldg. 2390.

The scenario: Kahler – who’s worked at Robins six years – is trapped and in need of assistance, and firefighters must conduct a Confined Space Rescue operation.

Mechanics like Kahler, formerly with the squadron’s Center Wing Box program, who work in confined spaces like a C-130 fuel tank can perform duties such as painting, sealant and foam removal, and making repairs while closer to the ground before they’re fixed on the aircraft.

Before firefighters arrive, he shows off the wing’s number one tank and several areas where he typically spends most of his time routing and clamping wires.

He usually goes in the wing with his feet first, when it’s an option, or head first through a hole at the top.

Once in, depending where his work is, he gets down and scrunches into a ball as he maneuvers about. When he’s sitting down inside, his head can pop up through that same hole.

“I’m a fairly skinny guy, and I can fit anywhere in this airplane, so I tend to be the one fitting in these small places. This would be the worst job if I was claustrophobic,” he said.

An entry crew consisting of firefighters Rick Hypes and Randy Hankinson walk to where one of the outer wings is raised on a platform. Lead firefighter Tony Tabler has been stationed nearby, gearing up for the department’s arrival.

“It looks like you could walk into a fire with it, but you can’t. These reflect about 90 percent of ambient heat,” said Tabler, referring to the silver airfield firefighting suits the crew is wearing. Those differ from the structural gear others have on; that material is tougher for physical activities and made for fighting things like structural fires in buildings.

Hypes and Hankinson climb to the top of the wing. Their personal protective equipment, which includes gloves, boots and breathing apparatus, is essential. Hypes looks into the small hole at the top, peering intently inside at the dark corners, searching for Kahler. Hypes is holding something in his hand.

This gas meter detects several types of gas levels, including hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, carbon monoxide and LEL, or lower explosive limits.

Once safe, they remove their gear.

“Just because he’s up there breathing doesn’t mean that he’s safe. There could be gas coming out. Until they’re 100 percent sure it’s safe, they won’t even come off air, “said Tabler. “We’ll make sure there’s at least breathable air in there so we can take it (mask) off. We’ll also go in with a system of extra bottles so that if something happens we’ll still have air.”

This training occurs regularly. It’s the second one in this facility for confined space rescue training – a critical one since the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex churns out dozens of aircraft through programmed depot maintenance throughout the year.

“My first concern is safety. We then check for oxygen and flammable content. Once declared safe, we took off our gear and checked the patient. We made contact with him, found out what the problem was and decided to go in,” said Hypes, a Robins firefighter since 1990. “The hardest part of this was finding the victim. Overall it went very well.”

Hankinson, who joined the department just nine months ago, added, “This training is very important considering the amount of time these workers spend in confined spaces.

“The possibility of someone getting stuck or injured inside is very real. Our being able to come out and work in a real-world situation is very beneficial to us.”