Team McChord Firefighters leave legacy

Active duty and retired Air Force firefighters at McChord Field receive recognition for their service during a memorial ceremony July 26, 2016, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The ceremony commemorated the service of Air Force firefighters that have served at JBLM and concluded Air Force firefighter’s service before they are reassigned. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez,
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Published August 01, 2016

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --
Firefighters from the 627th Civil Engineering Squadron memorialized their time serving at Joint Base Lewis-McChord July 29, at a memorial ceremony held at the McChord Field Fire Station 105.

The ceremony commemorated the service of Air Force firefighters that have served here and concluded Air Force firefighter’s service at JBLM as they are reassigned.

“This ceremony highlighted 70 years of amazing service and the legacy they leave behind,” said Col. Leo Kosinski, 62nd Airlift Wing commander. “Many of our civilian firefighters are prior Airmen and will carry on this legacy.”

By the end of July 2017, all Airmen firefighters currently stationed here will be assigned to new bases. The ceremony highlighted their service and payed tribute to all Air Force firefighters that have served here.

“During my time as their commander, our Air Force firefighters have definitely demonstrated time and time again, that they are credible engineers and the many missions we support don’t just happen with us,” said Lt. Col. Michael Francis, 627th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. “To our Air Force firefighters and their families I will continue to lead and serve you through this newest change until the very last one of you leaves McChord.”

Serving at a joint base, Air Force firefighters have received many unique training opportunities that provides them an additional depth of experience to take with them to their new assignments, said Francis.

“They have had amazing access to training opportunities and real-world experience not afforded to all Air Force firefighters at other installations,” said Francis. “This not only makes them better as they respond to on base medical emergencies, but also as they arrive on scene of motor vehicle accidents along the I-5 corridor to extricate victims and stabilize them for transport, sometimes for life-threatening injuries.”      

Reflecting on the accomplishments of Air Force firefighters here, Francis spoke about the many awards and recognition's they’ve received serving as a joint base.

“Just recently we finalized the 2015 awards year and once again the Air Force came out on top with Senior Airman Thomas Kaye winning the firefighter of the year award and Master Sergeant Jose Cardenas fire officer of the year award, both at the Department of the Army level,” said Francis. “All of these individual accolades would not be possible without the mentorship and deliberate development made by the entire firefighting team, military and civilian, working together.”

Celebrating past and present Air Force firefighters who’ve serve here, the ceremony concluded in the unveiling of the Air Force firefighter’s Legacy Monument to be constructed on McChord Field. The monument will represent all the Air Force firefighters that have served here to memorialize their legacy. The monument will be a set of firefighter bunker gear, set in bronze and mounted atop a large rock. On the front of the monument will be a plaque that reads, “This memorial is dedicated to honor the legacy of the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force firefighters who served valiantly at McChord Field from 1946-2017”. Below this it will display the Air Force firefighter’s motto: “Serving with courage, integrity and pride.”

“I’ve worked at every station on JBLM and gained great experience from the civilians here through learning different aspects of firefighting,” said Senior Airman James Salazar, 627th CES firefighter. “Most of the guys here are prior Air Force and it’s good to know they are going to keep that tradition alive and morale high.”

Lt. Col. Michael Francis, 627th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, recognizes Air Force firefighters who have served at McChord Field, during a memorial ceremony July 26, 2016, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Air Force firefighters have served at McChord since 1946 and will no longer be assigned to JBLM by July 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

Air Force firefighters from the 627th Civil Engineer Squadron unveil a rendering of the Legacy Monument during a memorial ceremony, July 26, 2016, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The Legacy Monument will be constructed in front of Station 105 on McChord Field to memorialize the legacy of Air Force firefighters who served at McChord from 1946-2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

Deployments leave firefighters undermanned, reservists step in to help

Members of the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron pose for a photo with some of their Air Force Reserve counterparts, July 1, 2016, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The reservists worked with McConnell AFB firefighters after deployments left the department undermanned. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Erin McClellan)

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, KS, UNITED STATES
Story by Airman Erin McClellan
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

At first, assistance was requested from the Air National Guard, but when they were unable to provide support, the reservists were called in to backfill the spots the deployed Airmen left empty.

“Our manning affects our ability to perform our job,” said Senior Master Sgt. Brent Hardsaw, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron deputy fire chief. “To get six [reservists] was extremely helpful. As far as filling those manpower requirements, they helped us tremendously.”

Without enough people on shift at the fire department, there may not be an adequate amount of firefighters to respond to an aircraft emergency, meaning the mission could be majorly impacted or even halted.
“It could ultimately shut down the airfield,” said Master Sgt. Gerald Wile, 944th CES assistant chief of health and safety. “If there’s not enough people, then aircraft can’t fly because there’s no fire protection. That’s what we’re here for: ‘What if something goes wrong?’ It’s a very important part of the entire Air Force mission.”

In addition to helping on the job, the reservists helped prevent McConnell’s Airmen from overworking themselves by having to compensate for being shorthanded.

“A lot of times when you lose a large number of people, the ones at home have to pick up that slack,” said Hardsaw. “With those guys here we don’t have to stop things like leave and days off, so we can continue to keep up the morale here.”

Nearing the end of the six-month stretch, the fire department showed their appreciation for the reservists’ hard work by holding a going away lunch and presenting them with plaques. In return, the department was presented with a gift from the reservists; a wooden call box customized to represent that the reserve is always ready to help active duty Airmen.

“It’s humbling to be recognized by the active duty for what we’ve done and it makes me feel good,” said Wile. “We didn’t just show up to make money or to go on vacation. We did things for the unit above and beyond what was expected of us.”
By blending together people with different backgrounds and experiences, it allowed everyone involved to grow as individuals and as firefighters.

“Coming out here gave me an opportunity to see different aircraft and learn new techniques,” said Staff Sgt. Cheyne Baumgart, 349th Civil Engineer Squadron driver engineer. “Everybody does things a little bit differently and I got to work with people who have been doing it forever. When I go home, I get to bring that back to my troops and my civilian department.”

Spending time working together enabled all the Airmen to build relationships with each other that may make it hard to say goodbye now that the reservists are heading home.

“From the minute I got off the plane, everybody has gone out of their way to help us out,” said Baumgart. “There’s a real camaraderie here, and it was a pleasure to be part of this fire department. I made great friends that I’m going to miss. I had a great time; it’s going to be sad leaving here.”

Fort Lee Soldier heads home to help family, neighbors with flood recovery

A pile of furniture, carpeting and assorted personal items destroyed by flood water sits in front of the Cook family's home in Leslie, West Va. The family has measured the water line at 44 inches outside the structure and 20 inches inside.

LESLIE, WV, UNITED STATES
07.28.2016
Story by Patrick Buffett
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee
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FORT LEE, Va. (July 28, 2016) -- “West Virginia is my home. It’s where I grew up, and I have family and friends there. I will do everything I can to support them until they no longer need my help. Once I know they are safe and taken care of, I will be able to rest a little easier at night knowing I did my best.”

Those are the words of Sgt. Bobby Cook, a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 23rd Quartermaster Brigade Soldier who recently returned from a voluntary humanitarian relief mission of sorts. He delivered over 10,000 pounds of water, hygiene products and nonperishable food to flood victims in White Sulfur Springs, Rainelle and Leslie – the latter one being the town where his parents now reside. He credits part of the success of the trip to caring Team Lee individuals who didn’t have to be asked to help.

“I just mentioned where I was going to a couple of battle buddies, and all of these donations were piled on my desk and in my office area the following day,” said the 23-year-old healthcare specialist. The contributors included fellow QM Soldiers, the Liberty Chapel congregation, and assorted others in the community. “I think it speaks volumes about the character and quality of people in the brigade and across Fort Lee.”

Describing the devastation he witnessed during the June 30 - July 10 trip, Cook said a lot of main roads had been washed out by the late-June floods. Many homes were destroyed by raging rivers of water. Power polls and vehicles were carried away in the deluge. Twenty-six individuals were killed, according to news reports that also described the weather event as a “once in a 1,000 year occurrence.”

“Without a boat or 4-wheel drive, many people were stuck wherever they were when the flooding began,” Cook further noted. “A lot of my family and friends lost everything; their homes were pushed off the foundations and torn apart by the water. One house (caught fire) before it was washed down a river that was once a roadway.”

Cook hails from Quinwood, but said he decided to focus on the White Sulfur Springs area because it wasn’t receiving as much aid at the time. A friend from high school, Levi Wells, and a battle buddy from Hawaii, Sgt. Seth Brown (Army National Guard), helped him haul and distribute the two trailer-loads of supplies.

“When we showed up to help, there was a noticeable sigh of relief,” Cook recalled. “People were wet, hungry and afraid to drink the local water (due to contamination from broken lines). Tensions were high and reports of looting had been coming in due to limited supplies. After we rolled in with our trailers of clothes, food and clean drinking water, the townspeople seemed to relax a little. It’s a very heartwarming feeling to make something like that happen.”

Alluding to an earlier statement about sticking with it until help is no longer needed, Cook said he’ll likely return to the area in the next week or two as his military duties and scheduled leave time permits. Whether he brings supplies or simply provides a helping hand wherever able to do so, he said he wants to be a part of getting friends and neighbors back on their feet.

“If I was in a similar situation, I really believe others would do the same thing for me,” Cook concluded. “You don’t idly stand by when people need help. That’s the way I was raised and the type of positive values the Army has instilled in me.”

USS Anchorage Crash and Salvage Drill

SAN DIEGO (August 1, 2016) Sailors assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) participate in a Crash and Salvage Drill on the flight deck. Anchorage is currently in port San Diego undergoing a Continuous Maintenance Availability to receive upgrades and repairs.

Hull Technician 3rd Class Trevor Gaines, assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) feels for hot spots during a Crash and Salvage Drill on the flight deck. Anchorage is currently in port San Diego undergoing a Continuous Maintenance Availability to receive upgrades and repairs.

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

08.01.2016

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Dickinson 

USS Anchorage (LPD 23)

Hull Technician 3rd Class Trevor Gaines (left), and Fireman Dylan Cook, assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) participate in a Crash and Salvage Drill on the flight deck. Anchorage is currently in port San Diego undergoing a Continuous Maintenance Availability to receive upgrades and repairs.

'Fill the Boot' to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Association

By: Keeley Van Middendorp - MTN News

GREAT FALLS -
Firefighters battled the heat today but fortunately not at the scene of a fire. Instead, crews worked hard around Great Falls raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The annual 'Fill the Boot' drive raises funds for Montana families to send their kids with muscular dystrophy to summer camp.

Around 100 firefighters from Great Falls Fire Rescue, Malmstrom Air Force Base, and the Montana Air National Guard volunteered to collect change at the corners of 10th Avenue South and 9th Street South, and Central Avenue West and 6th Street Southwest.

Organizers say while the fundraising drive happens across the country and throughout the state each year, the response in Great Falls has always been generous.

"We lead the state almost every year in how much we raise; last year we raised 36,000 dollars and this year our goal is to raise 40 and we've had a good start so far so I'm hoping that we get there," said 'Fill the Boot' Muscular Dystrophy Drive Supervisor Tucker Cook.

Last year, more than 100,000 firefighters volunteered at the 'Fill the Boot' drive across the country to raise 25.5 million dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

To learn more about the 'Fill the Boot' drive, visit
https://www.mda.org/get-involved/fill-the-boot .