Friday, May 27, 2016

"You are only forgotten when you are no longer remembered - and we will never forget." written by Paul Glascock, SSgt.1972






Compiled is a list of Firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice Protecting Those who Defend America.  DOD Fire News will bring you some of the stories of Firefighters who gave their lives while fighting for our country.  


"You are only forgotten when you are no longer remembered - and we will never forget." Great Quote written by Paul Glascock, SSgt., USAF, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat RTAFB, Thailand 1972.


21-Jun-41 Rock Island Arsenal, IL Mr. LEO J. KELLY USA Structural Fire/Inhalation of fumes

2-Oct-48 Rhein Main AB, GE PFC JOHNNIE T. ORMS USAF Vehicle accident

5-Aug-50 Fairfield-Suisun AFB, CA SSgt JOHN E. MCCULLUM USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

5-Aug-50 Fairfield-Suisun AFB, CA Cpl DOYAL D. HANSTED USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

5-Aug-50 Fairfield-Suisun AFB, CA PFC WILLIAM R. VETTER USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

5-Aug-50 Fairfield-Suisun AFB, CA PVT EMILE G. BENDER JR. USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

5-Aug-50 Fairfield-Suisun AFB, CA PVT EDWARD GOINS USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Sgt FORRIST D. CLAUDLE USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Mr. CHOTARO MORITA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Sgt NEWTON P. MCDONALD USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Mr. YASUO SATO USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan PFC HERMAN BREEDING, JR USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Mr. SHIGERU TANAKA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Mr. ISAMU IKEDA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Mr. MASAKICHI TSUNODA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Mr. SHINPEI IZAWA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

18-Nov-51 Yokota AB, Japan Mr. NOBORU YAMADA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-29)

19-Jan-52 Mather AFB, CA A1C. Donald G. DENKER USAF Aircraft emergency incident (F-86D)

6-Apr-54 George AFB, CA Mr. CARL C. CASE USAF Aircraft emergency incident (F-86D)

6-Apr-54 George AFB, CA TSgt JAMES C. FLOWERS USAF Aircraft emergency incident (F-86D)

22-Jan-61 Midway Island AM3 Ronald E. Blakeman USN Navy EC-121 slid into MB-5 Crash truck

22-Jan-61 Midway Island AB3 Gordon G. Blatchley USN Navy EC-121 slid into MB-5 Crash truck

22-Jan-61 Midway Island AN Robert J. Razey USN Navy EC-121 slid into Crash Fire MB-5 Crash truck

8-May-61 Altus AFB, OK A1C RUFUS L. MEACHUM USAF Vehicle accident – other (P-6)

21-Nov-61 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Civ Dale V Kelchner USAF Structural Fire/Collapse

21-Nov-61 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Civ William J Collins USAF Structural Fire/Collapse

15-May-62 Whiteman AFB, MO TSgt RICHARD EAST USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-47)

15-May-62 Whiteman AFB, MO A1C WAYNE HOWER USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-47)

15-May-62 Whiteman AFB, MO A1C JOSEPH PALOGIMA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-47)

15-May-62 Whiteman AFB, MO A1C PAUL RALLS USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-47)

15-May-62 Whiteman AFB, MO A1C CHESTER TAYLOR USAF Aircraft emergency incident (B-47)







15-Jul-67Da Nang, S. Vietnam AMN JAMES H. PRICE from Price, Winchester, IL

15-Jul-67Da Nang, S. Vietnam AMN JERALD K. SUMIDA from Kahului, HI

28-Apr-67Dong Ha, S. Vietnam Cpl ALBERT J ROSE USMC





8-May-68 Binh Thuy S. Vietnam SSgt JAMES E. SPICKLER USAF Aircraft emergency incident

19-Jun-68 Hoa, S. Vietnam Cpl ARLAN J KENNEDY, JR USMC


2-Sep-70Chu Lai, S. Vietnam SSgt BOBBY L. HOLZER USAF  Explosion 

3-June-71  Chanute Air Force Base  A1C RICHARD CRINER USAF  Dormitory Fire.  



17-May-72 Korat, Thailand Mr. SAMARN BEONSARI USAF Aircraft emergency incident (F-105)

17-May-72 Korat, Thailand Mr. KARNCHIT PATIFASNA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (F-105)

17-May-72 Korat, Thailand Mr. NIPHON WANARAT USAF Aircraft emergency incident (F-105)

17-May-72 Korat, Thailand Mr. TAVIL TESKAUJANA USAF Aircraft emergency incident (F-105)

Dec-72 Williams AFB, AZ Mr. WILLIAM KASSHIEMER USAF Aircraft emergency response (0-11A)

19-Oct-73 NAS San Diego, CA Mr. Brian Lindsey USN Other Actvity (on-duty – not classified)

19-Oct-73 NAS San Diego, CA Mr. Stanley Hertel USN Other Actvity (on-duty – not classified)

Oct-73 NALF San Clemente Island, CA Mr. Stephen Stiftner USN Other Actvity

18-Dec-74 Buckley AFB, CO SSgt WILBER UNRUH USAF POL tank emergency incident

21-Jul-76 F.E. Warren AFB, WY Mr. KENNETH D. DOUBLE USAF Aircraft training incident

17-Mar-77 Altus AFB, OK Mr. WARD SUMMITT USAF Other activity – (on-duty – not classified)

20-Dec-77 Vandenberg AFB, CA Mr. BILLY J BELL USAF Wildland emergency incident

20-Dec-77 Vandenberg AFB, CA Mr. EUGENE C. COOPER USAF Wildland emergency incident

Dec-79 Williams AFB, AZ MSgt JAMES ? WOODS USAF Other activity – (on-duty – not classified)

13-Feb-80 Dyess AFB, TX Mr. DEAN CHAPMAN USAF Other – P-13 reservicing operation

04-Mar-81 NAS – Norfolk, VA Mr. WILLAIM B. TRAVIS USN Other activity – (on-duty – not classified)

15-Jun-81 F.E. Warren AFB, WY Mr. CHARLES R. KUHNS USAF Other activity

1981 Davis Monthan AFB,AZ/span> A1C Ronald J. McNeeley USAF Aircraft training incident

Aug-82 Blythville AFB, AR A1C MONEX ? THOMAS USAF Aircraft training incident – (F-6)

28-Dec-83 Laughlin AFB, TX Mr. LUIS T. OSTEEN USAF Other activity – (on-duty – not classified)

7-Apr-86 Tonapah Site, NV TSgt WILLIAM C. HARTSELL USAF Aircraft training incident –(P-4)

21-Apr-88 F.E. Warren AFB, WY Amn STEVEN L. HUITT USAF Structural training incident

27-Sep-88 NAB- Little Creek, VA Captain ROBERT “BOBBY” L HOEFLEIN USN Rescue Operations

10-Jan-90 Carswell AFB, TX A1C JAMES E WHITE USAF Aircraft training incident (Halon related)

11-Jun-95 Sheppard AFB, TX A1C CHRISTOPHER REZAC USAF POL tank emergency incident

11-Jun-95 Sheppard AFB, TX Mr. RICHARD HOGAN USAF POL tank emergency incident

20-Mar-98 MCAS Yuma, AZ LCpl JOSEPH E. JULIANO USMC

18-Sep-98 Laughlin AFB, TX SrA DONALD A. TROTOCHAUD USAF Vehicle accident – other (P-18)

28-Oct-99 Prince Sultan Air Base, SA TSgt THOMAS R O’FLAHRITY ANG HEART ATTACK

4-Sep-00 Yuma Az Cpl Daniel H. YAKIN USMC Vehicle Accident

4-Dec-02 FORT RUCKER, Ala Mr. Kerry G Neis, USA Vehicle accident – other

20-Feb-03 Kingsley Field ANG Base, OR Mr. LARRY A. BROWN USAF Died of Heart Attack

31-Dec-03 Submarine Base Groton Ct Mr. KENNETH JEFFREY USN Medical Emergency on Duty

10-Apr-03  Kuwait-Iraq border CIV ROBERT GRIMM, was killed in a vehicle accident 

16-Aug-04 MCAS Beaufort, SC. Cpl ROBERT (Bobby) M WEBER,Jr. USMC Other activity


11-Nov-05 Ft Hood Mr. Chad E. Wessels USA Vehicle rollover 

24-Sept.-05  Al Taqaddum, Iraq Sgt/FF Brian E. Dunlap USMC  lost his life while in combat.  

7-Jan-09 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Mr. MARTY SPARKS USAF Heart Attack-Retuning for response

26-Sep-09 Thule AB, Greenland Mr. Torben O. Andersen USAF Heart attack

11-Feb-11 Kadena AB, Japan A1C DEREK KOZOROSKY USAF Vehicle Accident--backing incident

13-Aug-11 NSA Naples, Italy Mr. ROBERTO NOCERA USN Medical Emer on Duty-Passed at Hospital

13-Jan-12 NSA Naples, Italy Mr. LUIGI RULLO USN Medical Emer on Duty-Passed at Hospital

4-Jul-12 White Draw fire (near Edgemont, SD Lt. Col PAUL K. MIKEAL USAF Vehicle Collision - Includes Aircraft-MAFFS-7-Home Base 145th Charlotte NC

4-Jul-12 White Draw fire (near Edgemont, SD Maj JOSEPH M. McCORMICK USAF Vehicle Collision - Includes Aircraft-MAFFS-7-Home Base 145th Charlotte NC

4-Jul-12 White Draw fire (near Edgemont, SD Maj RYAN S. DAVID USAF Vehicle Collision - Includes Aircraft-MAFFS-7-Home Base 145th Charlotte NC

4-Jul-12 White Draw fire (near Edgemont, SD SMSgt ROBERT S. CANNON USAF Vehicle Collision - Includes Aircraft-MAFFS-7-Home Base 145th Charlotte NC

6-Apr-12 Combat Readiness Ctr, Gulfport, MS MSgt KEVIN L. JOHNSON USAF Wildland Fire

16-May-13 Ft Benning, GA Mr. James STANLEY USA Vascular Rupture--Pending

17-Jun-13 QUONSET ANG BASE R.I. Mr. EDWARD V. VANNER JR. USAF Medical Emergency

30-May-14 NDW, Joint Base Anacostia-Bowling Mr. JOHN MCDONALD USN Medical Emergency

26-Jul-15 Station 27 NCANG Cabarrus County Civ Captain Mr. Alan Hicks Medial Emergency 





If you know of a name not on the list please contact me at DODFireNews@gmail.com

Monday, May 23, 2016

Beyond the Horizon 2016 Guatemala

Beyond the Horizon 2016 Guatemala
U.S. Soldiers from Task Force Red Wolf and Guatemalan transit emergency workers came together at the Universidad Da Vinci De Guatemala for a training exercise to practice search and rescue drills in case of a volcanic eruption in San Pedro, Guatemala, May 14, 2016. Task Force Red Wolf and Army South conducts Humanitarian Civil Assistance Training to include tactical level construction projects and Medical Readiness Training Exercises providing medical access and building schools in Guatemala with the Guatemalan Government and non-government agencies from 05MAR16 to 18JUN16 in order to improve the mission readiness of US Forces and to provide a lasting benefit to the people of Guatemala. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ronquel Robinson/Released)
Beyond the Horizon 2016 Guatemala
Guatemalan Mountain Brigade army emergency workers rush to a patient carrying an a litter during a training exercise to practice search and rescue drills in case of a volcanic eruption at the Universidad Da Vinci De Guatemala in San Pedro, Guatemala, May 14, 2016. Task Force Red Wolf and Army South conducts Humanitarian Civil Assistance Training to include tactical level construction projects and Medical Readiness Training Exercises providing medical access and building schools in Guatemala with the Guatemalan Government and non-government agencies from 05MAR16 to 18JUN16 in order to improve the mission readiness of US Forces and to provide a lasting benefit to the people of Guatemala. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ronquel Robinson/Released)
Beyond the Horizon 2016 Guatemala
Guatemalan emergency first responders carry an injured patient on a litter during a training exercise to practice search and rescue drills in case of a volcanic eruption at the Universidad Da Vinci De Guatemala in San Pedro, Guatemala, May 14, 2016. Task Force Red Wolf and Army South conducts Humanitarian Civil Assistance Training to include tactical level construction projects and Medical Readiness Training Exercises providing medical access and building schools in Guatemala with the Guatemalan Government and non-government agencies from 05MAR16 to 18JUN16 in order to improve the mission readiness of US Forces and to provide a lasting benefit to the people of Guatemala. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ronquel Robinson/Released)

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

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

Wyo. 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

180th Fighter Wing Tests Airmen Response During Active Shooter Exercise
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.
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