National Guard trains with civilian agencies rope rescue training PATRIOT North 2016

VOLK FIELD, WI, UNITED STATES
07.18.2016
Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp
North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

Staff Sgt. Mike Heerd, a fire fighter in the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, W.V., prepares to lower himself down the side of a building during rope rescue training at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 2016 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 18, 2016. The Wisconsin Regional Emergency All-Climate Training Center (REACT) is providing the collapse rescue training for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at PATRIOT, which is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Tech. Sgt. Samuel Deverell, both of the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, W.Va., lifts a simulated rescue patient over a railing on top of a building during rope rescue training at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 2016 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 18, 2016. The Wisconsin Regional Emergency All-Climate Training Center (REACT) is providing the collapse rescue training for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at PATRIOT, which is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Tech Sgt. James Weglein, a fire fighter in the 175th Civil Engineer Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore, Md., prepares to lower himself down the side of a building during rope rescue training at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 2016 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 18, 2016. The Wisconsin Regional Emergency All-Climate Training Center (REACT) is providing the collapse rescue training for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at PATRIOT, which is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Spc. Christopher Howell, of the 826nd Ordnance Company, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Madison, Wisc., climbs up a while as Matt Trepczyk, a senior instructor for the Regional Emergency All-Climate Training Center (REACT), provides rope rescue instruction at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 2016 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 18, 2016. REACT is providing rope rescue training for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at PATRIOT, which is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

MCAS Beaufort rehearses oil spill decontamination procedures

Marines and civilian personnel use a boom to contain a simulated oil spill aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort July 13. The boom is towed behind the boats and acts as a large net, trapping the oil to be collected by a skimmer boat. The Marines are with the air station fuels section and the civilians are with the Natural Resources Environmental Affairs Office.

BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES
07.13.2016
Story by Staff Sgt. Dengrier Baez
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marines from various units aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and personnel with the Natural Resources Environmental Affairs Office participated in a nautical spill response exercise July 11-15.

The intent of the exercise was to maintain proficiency in nautical spill response procedures aboard MCAS Beaufort. The exercise allowed Marines to evaluate environmental and nautical conditions and tactics in order to quickly respond to an oil spill in the waterways leading to the air station.

“We are mandated by the Coast Guard and the [Environmental Protection Agency] to have a Facility Response Team and as part of that we’re required to do so many exercises a year,” said Christopher Vaigneur, the spill response coordinator for NREAO. “I am responsible for making sure that we have enough personnel trained in the response team in case we do have a spill we’re able to respond to it effectively and in a timely manner.”

During the exercise, the participants properly execute a spill contingency plan, hazmat training, and use the equipment to control and contain any contamination over water.

“Today we simulated a barge leak and try to set up some cascading boom to contained the oil that way we could position our skimmer so we could recover most of the spilled product,” said Vaigneur.

The skimmer, a boat equipped with an oil recovery system, helps filter oil contamination in the water and is one of many assets in the air station’s arsenal for protecting the waterways. The boom is towed behind the boats and acts as a large net, trapping the oil to be collected by a skimmer boat.

“This type of training is important because you get to be hands on instead of just sitting in a classroom hearing about but not experiencing it,” said Cpl. Ismael Tapia, a Marine with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting. “Like this you get to see where everything and how it is actually operated which makes for effective training.”

Due to their expertise in protecting the environment and responding to critical situations, a majority of the course was occupied by Marines with the air station’s ARFF section. Other units from the air station also had an opportunity to take something away from the exercise.

“I was impressed with the amount of teamwork and coordination it takes to respond in case of a spill,” said Sgt. Sandino McKnight, a motor transport mechanic with MCAS Beaufort. “This was definitely a good opportunity to go outside of your job field and learn something important especially me being a motor transport mechanic,” said McKnight. “I never thought I would be doing something like this and it’s a great experience overall.”

One of the primary methods of fuel delivery for the air station is via barge over the waterways, making the training not only essential but proactive to any possible oil spill emergency situation.

Station Grays Harbor Rescue

GRAYS HARBOR CITY, WA, UNITED STATES
07.17.2016
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg
U.S. Coast Guard District 13

A Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor crew aboard a 29-foot Response Boat-Small II rescued a man who was swept out to sea while wading in the water near the Grays Harbor north jetty at Ocean Shores, Wash., July 17, 2016. The man was taken back to Station Grays Harbor where he was met by local emergency medical services for further medical care. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor.

More From PATRIOT North 16

Staff Sgt. William Blakeley, a fire fighter in the 175th Civil Engineer Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland, positions hydraulic tools into place as Tech. Sgt. James Weglein, also of the 175th, describes the correct procedure for using the tools to rescue automobile crash victims while training at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 16, 2016. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. The fire fighters are gathered from various states and benefit from the training by exchanging knowledge and experiences they have encountered while on military duty and also in some of their civilian fire-fighting experiences. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Fire fighters from right to left Staff Sgt. Michael Frye, of the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, West Virginia, holds a car door while Sgt. Somner Goecks, of the 826th Ordnance Company, Wisconsin Army National Guard, operates a hydraulic tool, often called the jaws of life, and Staff Sgt. Joseph Ruppenthal, also of the 167th, holds hydraulic cables clear, while practicing rescuing personnel from a simulated automobile crash during training at National Guard exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 16, 2016. The training is simulating a vehicle crash and rescue of personnel trapped in the vehicle. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. The fire fighters are gathered from various states and benefit from the training by exchanging knowledge and experiences they have encountered while on military duty and also in some of their civilian fire-fighting experiences. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Senior Airman Hassen Drissi, a fire fighter in the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, Peoria, Illinois, practices using hydraulic tools, commonly called the jaws of life, while training at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 16, 2016. He is practicing rescue procedures after a simulated vehicular accident. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. The fire fighters are gathered from various states and benefit from the training by exchanging knowledge and experiences they have encountered while on military duty and also in some of their civilian fire-fighting experiences. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Senior Airman Hassen Drissi, a fire fighter in the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, Peoria, Illinois, practices using hydraulic tools, commonly called the jaws of life, while training at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 16, 2016. He is practicing rescue procedures after a simulated vehicular accident. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. The fire fighters are gathered from various states and benefit from the training by exchanging knowledge and experiences they have encountered while on military duty and also in some of their civilian fire-fighting experiences. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Sgt. Somner Goecks swings a sledge hammer as Spc. Christopher Schreibner, both of the 826th Ordnance Company, Wisconsin Army National Guard, while practicing rescuing personnel from a simulated automobile crash during training at National Guard exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 16, 2016. The training is simulating a vehicle crash and rescue of personnel trapped in the vehicle. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. The fire fighters are gathered from various states and benefit from the training by exchanging knowledge and experiences they have encountered while on military duty and also in some of their civilian fire-fighting experiences. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Staff Sgt. Michael Frye holds a car door as Staff Sgt. Joseph Ruppenthal, both fire fighters in the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, West Virginia, practice using hydraulic tools for personnel vehicle extrication while training at National Guard exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 16, 2016. The training is simulating a vehicle crash and rescue of personnel trapped in the vehicle. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. The fire fighters are gathered from various states and benefit from the training by exchanging knowledge and experiences they have encountered while on military duty and also in some of their civilian fire-fighting experiences. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Senior Airman Reiginald Fairley, a fire fighter in the 175th Civil Engineer Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland, practices using hydraulic tools, commonly called the jaws of life, while training at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 16, 2016. He is practicing rescue procedures after a simulated vehicular accident. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. The fire fighters are gathered from various states and benefit from the training by exchanging knowledge and experiences they have encountered while on military duty and also in some of their civilian fire-fighting experiences. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Staff Sgt. Michael Frye, a fire fighter in the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, West Virginia, removes a car windshield with an ax during vehicle extrication training at National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 16, 2016. He is practicing rescue procedures after a simulated vehicular accident. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. The fire fighters are gathered from various states and benefit from the training by exchanging knowledge and experiences they have encountered while on military duty and also in some of their civilian fire-fighting experiences. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Photos From PATRIOT North 16

Safety officer Tech. Sgt. Edmund Schwartz, of the 175th Civil Engineer Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore, Md., discusses fire rescue procedures with Tech. Sgt. Derrick Crawford, of the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, W.Va., after completing structural live fire training during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Sgt. Somner Goecks, a fire fighter in the 826th Ordnance Company, Madison, Wisc., crawls on his knees as he leads a hose attack team into a smoke filled room in a training facility during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Sgt. Somner Goecks, right, and Spc. Charles Schreibner, both of the 826th Ordnance Company, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Madison, Wisc., carry a mannequin that is simulating a fire casualty from a smoke filled room in a burning building training facility during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Staff Sgt. Mike Heerd, a fire fighter in the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, W.Va., carries a mannequin from a burning building training facility during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The mannequin is a simulated casualty from a search and rescue scenario at regional National Guard training site. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen spray water from fire truck turrets onto a mock aircraft burn pit to put out a simulated aircraft fire while training during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. The Soldiers and Airmen from various military organizations around the country are being paired with their counterparts from other units in order to learn from each other and network in order to improve professional practices. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen spray water from fire truck turrets onto a mock aircraft burn pit to put out a simulated aircraft fire while training during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. The Soldiers and Airmen from various military organizations around the country are being paired with their counterparts from other units in order to learn from each other and network in order to improve professional practices. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Fire fighters from left to right Airman 1st Class Randle Taborn, of the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, Peoria, Ill., Spc. Stephen Jensen, of the 395th Ordnance Company, Tech. Sgt. Derrick Crawford, of the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, W.Va., and Senior Airman Edgar Ewing, also of the 182nd, prepare to exit a smoke filled room in a training facility during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Fire fighters from left to right Airman 1st Class Randle Taborn, of the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, Peoria, Ill., Spc. Stephen Jensen, of the 395th Ordnance Company, and Tech. Sgt. Derrick Crawford, of the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, W.Va., discuss their progress in search and rescue training in a smoke filled room at a training facility during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Airman 1st Class Randle Taborn, of the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, Peoria, Ill., sprays water onto a fire while leading a three-person hose team while participating in structural live fire training during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen spray water from a fire truck turret onto a mock aircraft burn pit to put out a simulated aircraft fire while training during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen spray water from a fire truck turret onto a mock aircraft burn pit to put out a simulated aircraft fire while training during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Fire fighters Staff Sgt. Adam Carder, Tech. Sgt. Samuel Deveral, both of the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, W.Va., and Tech. Sgt. Adam Long, of the 178th Civil Engineer Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, Springfield, Ill., discuss structural live fire training procedures as they prepare to enter a smoke-filled fire training facility to put out a fire during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Sgt. Alyssa Motiff, of the 826th Ordnance Company, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Madison, Wisc., right, leads Spc. Charles Congdon, also of the 826th, discuss structural live fire training procedures as they prepare to enter a smoke-filled fire training facility to put out a fire during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Fire fighters Tech. Sgt. Samuel Deveral, of the 167th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, W.Va., Staff Sgt. Joshua England and Staff Sgt. Adam King, both of the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, Peoria, Ill., discuss Structural live fire training procedures before entering a burning training facility during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. The structural live fire training is an annual requirement for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can only be done at training sites with the proper facilities, such as Volk Field. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Members of Team Rubicon, grey shirts, form a circle as they meet to discuss plans for the day during National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. Team Rubicon is a civilian volunteer organization made up military veterans and first responders, created to rapidly deploy emergency response teams to various types of disasters at the request of federal, state and county agencies. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)

Maj. Ryan Barry, center, and 1st Lt. Raymond Burton, right, both of the 285th Civil Engineer Squadron, Virgin Islands Air National Guard, ST. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, discuss plans with Team Rubicon Region V administrator Mike Watkins, in red, in the early stages of National Guard training exercise PATRIOT North 16 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisc. July 17, 2016. Team Rubicon is a civilian volunteer organization made up military veterans and first responders, created to rapidly deploy emergency response teams to various types of disasters at the request of federal, state and county agencies. PATRIOT is an annual exercise held at Volk Field to test the National Guard’s capabilities and develop working relationships with first responders and government agencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp)