Marine Corps firefighting creates new life for Texas native

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Barton, an aircraft rescue firefighter specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, sports an MWSS-171 Marine Firefighter patch during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 28, 2016. Barton is a liaison between Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 and No. 17 Squadron Fire and Rescue team stationed at RAAF Tindal, in case of emergencies with the flying squadron’s aircraft during the exercise. Pitch Black is a multination exercise that also includes participation from Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

RAAF TINDAL, NT, AUSTRALIA
08.01.2016
Story by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

Looking for some excitement and a job that meant something more to him, Michael Barton left the monotony of working in the oil fields of Texas and followed in the footsteps of family and friends, joining the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 20.
“Most of my friends had joined the military by then,” said Barton. “My father served in the Corps as intel, and my Great Uncle Eddie fought in Korea alongside Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller. I feel like I’m carrying on a family tradition, and I hope someday my kids will too.”
Choosing the military occupational specialty 7000, air operations, Barton headed off to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in 2013 to become one of the few and the proud, and then onto MOS school, where he trained to be a firefighter.
“I love my job,” said Barton. “I feel like it’s one of the best jobs in the Marine Corps. Knowing that somebody is having a bad day, and we’re able to alleviate that by saving a life or an aircraft definitely gives you a good feeling. They get to go home at night because of something we did.”
Today, the Houston, Texas native is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, serving as an aircraft rescue firefighter specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.
Living in Japan has given Barton countless opportunities to travel around the Pacific region on deployments; first to Thailand then to the Philippines and currently at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia.
For the next few weeks, Barton serves as the liaison between the No. 17 Squadron Fire and Rescue team stationed at RAAF Tindal, and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 during Exercise Pitch Black 2016.
VMFA-122 is home based out of MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, and are currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12 at MCAS Iwakuni with the Unit Deployment Program.
“As a liaison, I assist the No. 17 firefighters in emergencies involving the Marine F/A-18C Hornets,” said Barton. “Our standard operating procedures are slightly different as well as our aircraft.”
Barton said the No. 17 team instantly took him on as one of their own and does everything they do from cleaning to going out on calls, but was surprised to find that both services basically operate and train the same way.
“The first day I was here, they put me on a truck, on crew, wet checks and maintenance,” said Barton. “I love being here, learning from them and being able to support our Marines and aircraft in case of an emergency.”
Despite almost parallel daily schedules, Barton has the vital task of ensuring VMFA-122’s pilots and aircraft are able to accomplish their mission successfully and safely.
“Having a Marine here to teach us what their procedures are makes our job easier during Pitch Black,” said Cpl. Luke Van Den Heuvel, a firefighter with No. 17 Squadron. “Especially one like Cpl. Barton — he’s quiet, but is very knowledgeable about his job.”
Barton still gets excited every time the alarm rings; never knowing what possible emergency has arisen.
“Most of the alarms we’ve had so far are hot break landings, when an aircraft lands and the breaks are held too long making them overheat and possibly explode, causing a fire,” said Barton. “Another alarm is arrested landings. When an aircraft has any number of problems, it has to take the hook. The jets have tail hooks that drop and snag a cable running across the runway to stop an aircraft.”
After Pitch Black, Barton will continue serving as an aircraft rescue firefighter specialist at MCAS Iwakuni where he extended an extra year.
“I love the camaraderie in Iwakuni,” said Barton. “Back in the states after work, most people go their separate ways. Being stationed in Japan, everyone lives together on and off work, creating a family atmosphere.”
The discipline, awareness, certifications and qualifications earned on the job is preparing Barton for life after the military where he plans to continue his career as a firefighter after the Marine Corps.
“Being a firefighter in the Marine Corps has set me up for life,” said Barton. “After retirement or getting out of the military, most of the qualifications earned during active duty will carry over for a smooth transition.”

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Barton, an aircraft rescue firefighter specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, refills a fire truck during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 28, 2016. Barton is a liaison between Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 and No. 17 Squadron Fire and Rescue team stationed at RAAF Tindal in case of emergencies with the flying squadron’s aircraft during the exercise. Pitch Black is a multination exercise that includes participation from Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

U.S Marine Corps Cpl. Jesse Meyers, a power liner with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, gives a familiarization class to Cpl. Michael Barton, an aircraft rescue firefighter specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, and the No. 17 Squadron Fire and Rescue team at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 28, 2016. Barton is a liaison between VMFA-122 and No. 17 Squadron firefighters in case of emergencies involving the flying squadron’s aircraft during Exercise Pitch Black 2016. The familiarization class covered the basic dos and don’ts of operating around the aircraft during an emergency to ensure a safe and successful recovery. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB AIRMAN SHOT AND KILLED IN GOLDSBORO

An active duty airman assigned to the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base died early Sunday from gunshot wounds.

Officers with the Goldsboro Police Department responded to the 100 block of North Center Street around 2:30 a.m. and found 32-year-old Ryan Apollo Morgan suffering from gunshot wounds.

Morgan was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital, where he died as a result of injuries.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255.

USS Blue Ridge Firefighters

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 25, 2016) Damage Controlman Fireman Samantha Thomas, left, attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and Chief Damage Controlman Erik Prager, right, attached to Commander, Task Force 76 Detachment Sasebo, conduct training with an aqueous film forming foam hose. Blue Ridge is currently on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations strengthening and fostering relationships within the Indo-Asia-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Timothy Hale/Released)

AFFF System activation in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

07.24.2016
Courtesy Photo
Navy Media Content Services

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 24, 2016) Sailors conduct an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) system test in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is conducting sea trials to complete a planned incremental availability. After completion she will begin a training and qualification cycle in preparation for a 2017 deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brianna Bowens/Released)

Air department Sailors scrub the hangar bay after an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) system test aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).GHWB is conducting sea trials to complete a planned incremental availability. After completion she will begin a training and qualification cycle in preparation for a 2017 deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brianna Bowens/Released)

Air department Sailors scrub the hangar bay after an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) system test aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). GHWB is conducting sea trials to complete a planned incremental availability. After completion she will begin a training and qualification cycle in preparation for a 2017 deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Seelbach/Released)

NY National Guard team searches for radioactive material on Lake Champlain

New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Hansen, a survey chief from the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team uses an Identifinder to check for radioactive materials aboard a suspect boat during Operation Clear Passage, a three-day, multi-agency homeland security exercise and water quality/navigational-boating enforcement event held on Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta)

By Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta,
New York Army National Guard
July 29, 2016

ROUSES POINT, N.Y. -- With a lift from a New York Naval Militia patrol boat, the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team demonstrated their skills detecting radioactivity during Operation Clear Passage.

Working from the 28-foot boat, the team of New York Soldiers and Airmen boarded vessels stopped by law enforcement to search for radioactive material that could be used to make a dirty bomb during the homeland security exercise held in and around Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24.

The National Guard team and New York Naval Militia were among the more than 75 personnel from 17 federal, state and international agencies who conducted law enforcement, homeland security and environmental monitoring missions throughout the exercise.

With their knowledge and expertise, the 2nd Civil Support Team played an integral role in the exercise, according to New York Army National Guard Maj. Amy Benedetto, the deputy team commander.

"All we do is train to respond to (chemical, biological, and radiological) incidents," Benedetto said. "Law enforcement has this as an additional duty. We're the subject-matter experts for them. They rely on us for knowledge."

During the exercise, the 2nd Civil Support Team was tasked with finding radioactive material on a boat, on Valcour Island, and in a parking lot, said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Willit of the New York Army National Guard. Trainers used a small radiation source to test team members.

After rallying at Treadwall Bay Marina in Plattsburgh, New York on the morning of July 22, the 2nd Civil Support Team, the New York Naval Militia, and personnel from several agencies set off for an area by Rouses Point in Lake Champlain within sight of the watery border between the U.S. and Canada. The area was near an old railroad trestle that formed a choke point for boats entering the United States.

Aboard the New York Naval Militia boat operated by militia members Chief Petty Officer Wayne Hurlburt and Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Hill, four members of the 2nd Civil Support Team didn't have to wait long before the Clinton County Sheriff's boat called them.

"All of a sudden you get a hit, and you have to spring into action," Willit said. "Anything that jumps higher than background (radiation) is something that should be investigated."

After Hill maneuvered alongside the suspect boat, Hurlburt fastened a line to it so the 2nd Civil Support Team members could board and locate the radioactive material. During the search, Hill worked with the sheriff's boat to keep all three craft from drifting in the mild chop.

"Once we both got together, it was easy," recalled Hill.

Meanwhile, New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Hansen, the 2nd Civil Support Team survey chief, clambered all over the suspect boat, using an Identifinder detector to locate the radioactive material.

Though Hansen found the material relatively quickly, the limited space of the boat made it more difficult to isolate the source of radiation so it could be confirmed, Willit said. Typically they shield and segregate suspected radiation sources, he explained.

"That allows us to go over the space we checked to confirm there's nothing else there," he said. "We're not on boats a lot. It kind of limits the way we react."

During the exercise, trainers also varied the scenarios to test the troops, Benedetto said. For example, in one scenario they used a stronger source of radiation to mask a weaker source.

"We had to pull out multiple pieces of equipment to get an accurate reading," Benedetto said. "Our equipment is very sensitive."

It was a successful training event for the 2nd Civil Support Team, Benedetto said. Over the following days, team members found three radiation sources in parked cars and assisted law enforcement agencies in a search of Valcour Island.

In addition to calling upon team members to work with a number of their interagency partners, the exercise forced them to operate well outside their comfort zones.

"We got a unique opportunity to work with law enforcement agencies in a maritime operation," she said. "It really did give our guys a challenge."

Willit agreed.

"I learned a lot about borders and the lake," he said. "Having us there was extremely important."

New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Hansen, a survey chief from the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team, uses an Identifinder to check for radioactive materials aboard a suspect boat during Operation Clear Passage, a three-day, multi-agency homeland security exercise and water quality/navigational-boating enforcement event held on Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24. During the operation, 2nd Civil Support Team members successfully found radiation sources on a boat and parked cars in and around the lake. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta)

New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Willit, a reconnaissance non-commissioned officer in the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team, calls in a report while New York Naval Militia member Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Hill (right) operates a boat during Operation Clear Passage, a three-day, multi-agency homeland security exercise and water quality/navigational-boating enforcement event held on Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta)