Coast Guard rescues man after sailboat explosion

Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Cravens, a crew member aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach, Florida, responds to a sailboat explosion in Back Bay, Florida, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. The sailboat came free from its mooring and caught another sailboat on fire. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Kerry Doris

FORT MYERS BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES
08.05.2016
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley Johnson
U.S. Coast Guard District 7 PADET Tampa Bay

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley Johnson 

U.S. Coast Guard District 7 PADET Tampa Bay

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach, Florida, responds to a sailboat explosion in Back Bay, Florida, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. The boat crew rescued a 70-year-old man aboard the boat. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Kerry Doris

Reserve Airmen Stand Ready to Help Fight Wildfires

Air Force Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, with the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing, stands in front of a C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., July 26, 2016. DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando

By Lisa Ferdinando
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., Aug. 4, 2016 — for On the flight line here, Air Force Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, with the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing, describes being at the controls of an aircraft carrying the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, during a firefighting operation as “the mission where you get the most feedback [and] immediate feedback.

The firefighting system is owned by the U.S. Forest Service and can carry about 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant, Thompson explained. It can discharge the load in less than five seconds, and cover an area of one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide, he said.

"You see immediately what you're doing -- or sometimes not able to do," the pilot, a dual military-civilian Air Reserve Technician, said last week while standing in front of a MAFFS-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft. "Because it's literally there's fire [and] there's maybe some houses and you're dropping in between. That's a pretty good feeling."

Once the water or retardant is dropped, the plane can go to a military or civilian tanker base to refill, he said. The load can be replenished in minutes.

Ready for the Call

The 302nd Airlift Wing is busy with many other missions, including global deployments, but the MAFFS crews are always ready to support the U.S. Forest Service in the firefighting efforts, Thompson said.

"We're just waiting for the call if they get to the point where they more assets," Thompson. "We're the surge capability."

Case in point: a MAFFS-equipped C-130 and crew departed yesterday from Peterson Air Force Base to support firefighting efforts in the western United States. The 302nd received a request earlier in the week from the National Interagency Fire Center, according to a news release from the 302nd Airlift Wing public affairs office.

During this current deployment, which is their first firefighting mission of 2016, the 302nd reservists are expected to fly missions from Boise, Idaho, and other western U.S. locations as needed. A MAFFS crew from Wyoming is also taking part in the deployment.

Unique Mission, Rewarding Work

The firefighting missions are harder on the aircraft than other missions, so the C-130s in the MAFFS deployments are inspected more often than other aircraft, explained Senior Master Sgt. Tye Taylor, a maintenance flight chief with the 302nd Airlift Wing.

A mission with MAFFS would typically include 28 to 30 people -- six crewmembers for two planes and 14 maintenance personnel and a few operation workers, Taylor said.

While there are no nighttime MAFFS flights, the firefighting efforts can still mean busy days for the crews, he added.

"When things are breaking, we'll be working probably a 14-to-16-hour day," Taylor said.

The mission is unique, the 302nd Airlift Wing release said. The Defense Department, through U.S. Northern Command, provides the military support to firefighting efforts when requested by the National Interagency Fire Center and approved by the secretary of defense.

"These diverse mission assets are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to protect lives, property, critical infrastructure and natural resources, and can include, but are not limited to, MAFFS, military helicopters and ground forces capable of supporting the firefighting efforts," the news release said.

MAFFS-equipped C-130s are operated by four military airlift wings: the 302nd Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command; the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard; 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard; and the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard.

Each airlift wing has two MAFFS-equipped aircraft, for a total of eight nationwide.

(Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoDNews)

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Tye Taylor is a maintenance flight chief with the 302nd Airlift Wing and assigned to work on C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., July 26, 2016. DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando

National Guard 380 To Help Firefighting Effort

A firefighting crew from Task Force Alpha, California Army National Guard, clears a hot spot during mop up duties Aug. 9 near the mountains of Wildcat Butte. (Photo: Provided/SSG Eddie Siguenza - California , SSG Eddie Siguenza)

Bob Moffitt 

Monday, August 1, 2016 | Sacramento, CA

The California National Guard has sent 380 soldiers to train with Cal Fire before they are sent to fight wildfires in  California.　

They will receive four days of training at Camp Roberts in Paso Robles.

Cal Guard Captain Will Martin says the soldiers will be deployed to any of the fires burning in the state.

"Those will be the folks with the pick axes and the shovels actually clearing out the vegetation that is easy for the fires to use," he says.

Many will report to the lines of the Sand Fire in Santa Clarita and the Soberanes Fire in Big Sur.

Martin says the soldiers will be sent to fire lines at the end of this week and beginning of next week.

"We have a number of units that are assigned to be hand crews should those opportunities arise. And, this happens to be their turn and then we have other folks -several hundred other soldiers and airmen in reserve to serve the same purposes later on down the year. So, we rotate them through just depending how long they're on the fires."

The Sand Fire is 98-percent contained. The Soberanes Fire has burned more than 40,000 acres and is just 18-percent contained.

These are the first crews requested by Cal Fire this year. About a thousand members of the guard worked on fires in the state last year.

Team McChord firefighters host firefighter combat challenge

Firefighters from Fire Station 105 on McChord Field pose for a group photo after winning first place in the firefighter combat challenge July 26, 2016 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The first place team completed the course in 3 minutes and 30 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez, 62nd Airlift Wing
Public Affairs / Published August 03, 2016

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --
Air Force firefighters tested their skills against fellow JBLM Airmen and Soldiers during the firefighter combat challenge held July, 26 at Fire Station 105 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Seventeen teams from various units competed in the challenge performing nine different timed events. The event was held to commemorate the legacy of Air Force firefighters who have served here.

“This celebrates and memorializes their service,” said Master Sgt. Jose Cardenas, 627th Civil Engineer Squadron military deputy fire chief. “It shows other service members from around the base what our firefighters do every day.”

The event kicked off with participants registering as teams and creating team names. Following registration, participants and spectators received a safety briefing and a demonstration how to perform each event. They were also provided specific rules and guidelines to follow to not be disqualified.

“Carrying a fire hose is harder than it looks,” said Cardenas. “It awesome and an honor to see the base come together for this.”

 Participants competing were required to first complete the hose pull event where they pulled a firehose filled with water to the next station and then tagged a team member in or completed the next event on their own. Following the hose pull participants were required to perform a body drag using a firefighter training aid.

“This was a lot of fun,” said Staff Sgt. Phil Anderson, 5th Air Support Operation tactical air control party member. “It was challenging and I like the teamwork aspect of it.”

The body drag was followed by a participants completing the Keiser Force Machine, a machine designed to simulate a forced entry using a sledge hammer. Participants then had to carry two-40 pound buckets to the next station, the hose throw.

This event required participants to speedily unroll two fire hoses and connect a nozzle.

Following this, was the hotel pack firehose serpentine cone course where participants had to carry a large fire hose around multiple cones.

Upon completion of this event, participants performed the tire flip event. For this event they had to flip a tractor tire ten times.

“I like a challenge, I think this is awesome because it challenges you mentally and physically,” said Spc. Rahjee Hajj, 1st Squadron 14th Cavalry Regiment, 1st brigade Combat Team cavalry scout. “I think this is a good way to promote teamwork between both branches of service.”

The tire flip was followed by a sled pull, weighing more than 125 pounds.

The finishing event was a bucket brigade requiring all team members to carry buckets of water to a small hut and throw the water out from the buckets so it would runoff into a trash can they had to fill up.

“After all the coordination, this event has turned out really well,” said Cardenas. “There has really been esprit de corps and the whole base came together for this.”

Once the final event was completed the clock stopped and teams found out how they did. After the last team competed, four firefighters performed the course in full fire gear to demonstrate how challenges like these would be accomplished in an emergency situation and to demonstrate the teamwork required to complete each task.

“These guys have a unique schedule, they are here 48 hours at time,” said Cardenas. “Having them compete against other units on base allows them to see other perspectives and interact with other service members.”

The event concluded with scores being tallied and awards being presented to the three teams with the highest scores. Team members that were part of the first place team each received engraved fire axes. Second and third place teams received engraved fire hatchets.

The winners were as follows:

1st Place, Dave’s Rock Stars from the Firehouse with a completion time of 3 minutes and 30 seconds.          

2nd Place Fire Dawgs Stars from the Firehouse with a completion time of 3 minutes and 33 seconds.  

3rd Place Surveying Samsquanches’ from the 627th CES with a completion time of 3 minutes and 40 seconds.

Firefighters from Fire Station 105 on McChord Field flip a tire July 26, 2016, during a firefighter combat challenge at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Firefighters performed the course in full fire gear to demonstrate how challenges like these would be accomplished in an emergency situation and to demonstrate the teamwork required to complete each task. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

A firefighter from Fire Station 105 on McChord Field, throws a firehose July 26, 2016, during the firefighter combat challenge at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The event was held to commemorate the legacy of Air Force firefighters who have served at JBLM. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

Firefighters from Fire Station 105 on McChord Field, participate in a bucket brigade July 26, 2016, during a firefighter combat challenge at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The bucket brigade was one of nine different events in the timed fire fighter combat challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

31 CES Firefighters Rescue Training Course AVIANO AIR BASE

Air Force Firefighters from the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron rappel down the side of a building during a Rescue Technician One course at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 8, 2016. Fourteen Aviano firefighters are participating in the training to learn how to conduct low-angle, high-angle and confined-space rescues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Bell)

AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY
08.04.2016
Story by Senior Airman Areca T. Bell
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
 Subscribe 2

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy--Firefighters from the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron will participate in Rescue Technician One training to further improve their operational capabilities, from July 25 to Aug. 12, here.

Instructors from the 435th Construction and Training Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany are conducting a 15-day course, which includes classroom and hands-on training on different rescue techniques.

"During the course we are teaching low-angle, high-angle and confined-space rescue," explained Tech. Sgt. Justin Hrusovsky, 435th CTS NCO in charge of fire rescue and contingency training. “By the end of the course the Airmen will know how to maneuver in small spaces, and secure and remove patients during emergencies."

According to Hrusovsky, the course offers information on how to construct systems for rappelling when extracting patients or hauling heavy loads from inaccessible areas.

“Aviano is geographically located near mountains—you never know if you’re going to get called off base to help someone," he explained. "The Air Force also has confined-space missions at almost every base. We teach our students how to access a hole that may be two feet by two feet, crawl around, package the patient and remove them from a small space."

Students have already noted the benefits of the course, though it still in progress.

"This class will help prepare me to do all I can when an incident happens," said Airman Ryan Neuville, 31st CES fire protection apprentice. “If we were are called to assisst victims during an accident, I am confident we will play our part to help each patient."

Each student will have to pass five written tests and 23 performance tests to earn the Rescue Technician One national certification. Once completed, Team Aviano’s firefighters will be better prepared to help the local and Wyvern community in times of emergency.

 Air Force Firefighters from the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron rappel down a building during a Rescue Technician One course, Aug. 8, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Fourteen Aviano firefighters are participating in the training to learn how to conduct low-angle, high-angle and confined-space rescues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Bell/Released)

Airman Ryan Neuville, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection apprentice, climbs the side of a building during a Rescue Technician One course, Aug. 8, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Instructors from the 435th Construction and Training Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany are conducting a 15-day course that teaches firefighters unique rescue techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Bell/Released)

A firefighter from the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron rappels down the side of a building during a Rescue Technician One course, Aug. 8, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Instructors from the 435th Construction and Training Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany are conducting a 15-day course that teaches firefighters unique rescue techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Bell/Released)