World-class firefighting training at the Urlas Firefighting Training Center

U.S. Army firefighters from the 23rd Ordnance Company and members from the Urlas Firefighting Training Center in Ansbach, Germany, stand together for a group photo at the facility Aug. 30, 2016. (Release, U.S. Army photo by Training Resource Specialist Mr. Charles Rosemond)

 (Release, U.S. Army photo by Training Resource Specialist Mr. Charles Rosemond)

(Release, U.S. Army photo by Training Resource Specialist Mr. Charles Rosemond)

U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Vidot, a firefighter (12M military occupational specialty) from the 23rd Ordnance Company, take part in firefighter training at the Urlas Firefighting Training Center in Ansbach, Germany, Aug. 30, 2016. Some of the tasks they performed included hazardous-materials response, fire ground operations, rescue operations and maintenance. (Release, U.S. Army photo by Training Resource Specialist Mr. Charles Rosemond)

Reserve Marines remember their fallen brothers

A color guard from Brooklyn’s 6th Communication Battalion retires the colors during a remembrance ceremony for two Reserve Marines from their unit at Floyd Bennett Field, Aug. 30, 2016. Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtin and Gunnery Sgt. Matthew D. Garvey, first responders with the city’s police fire departments, lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11. To honor their memory, Marine Corps Reserve Center Brooklyn dedicated the Curtin Garvey Complex and a 9/11 monument made partially with steel from the World Trade Center. The remembrance ceremony is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Centennial, celebrating 100 years of service and selfless dedication to the nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ian Leones/Released)

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES
08.30.2016
Story by Sgt. Ian Leones
Marine Forces Reserve

Marines from Brooklyn’s 6th Communication Battalion held a dedication ceremony in honor of two fallen Reserve Marines from their unit at Floyd Bennett Field, Aug. 30, 2016.

Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtin and Gunnery Sgt. Matthew D. Garvey, first responders with the city’s police and fire departments, died to rescue others at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

To honor their memory, the Marines renamed their Reserve center the Curtin Garvey Complex. They also dedicated a monument using steel taken from the World Trade Center as a tribute to the Marines as well as the first responders who sacrificed their lives on 9/11.

“It is important that we come out here and honor our fallen Marines and the sacrifices they made,” said Staff Sgt. John A. Grigg, inspector-instructor cyber systems chief for Direct Support Company, 6th Comm. Bn. “It helps us remember who we are and who we are supposed to be.”

Curtin served 12 years on active duty before becoming a Reserve Marine. He joined the New York Police Department in January 1988 and spent most of his career with the Emergency Service Squad units. Curtin died rescuing victims trapped in the North tower of the World Trade Center.

"Sgt. Maj. Curtin was my company first sergeant when I checked into 6th Comm. in 1995," said Master Sgt. Pasquale Foresta, currently the liaison staff noncommissioned officer in charge for Chemical Biological Incident Response Force. "He was a large imposing man, but he took care of his Marines. I remember wandering the halls, completely lost, when I ran into him for the first time. He had never met me before, but wanted to know all about who I was. It had an impact on me and made me feel part of the unit right away."

Garvey served 10 years on active duty and served in Beirut, Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He joined the New York Fire Department in 1995 and served with the elite Squad 1. On 9/11, Garvey and his squad members aided in the evacuation of thousands of people from the South tower of the World Trade Center. The tower collapsed and killed Garvey and his entire squad.

“Gunnery Sgt. Garvey was my platoon sergeant and he was a Marines’ Marine,” Foresta said. “He is what anyone would expect a Marine to be. I’ve spent nearly 15 years living in his shadow.”

Curtin and Garvey serve as an example of how Reserves Marines from various backgrounds and occupations answered the call to defend the country during and after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

“It is important for young Marines coming up to understand how their roles might change,” Foresta said. “We have Marines who died on 9/11, but we also have Marines who died serving overseas afterwards as well.”

Marines from 6th Comm. have supported both operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, showcasing how Reserve Marines have been willing to trade in their civilian jobs to augment and support the active component in defense of the nation.

“As Reserve Marines we wear two hats, we have to maintain a civilian life and a Marine Corps life,” said Sgt. Lee Falcon, ground radio repair section head for Headquarters and Service Company, 6th Comm. “A lot of new Marines come in and they don’t know what happened here or any of the history of the battalion, so it is good to actually impart that to them through events like this.”

The memorial is a representation of the sacrifices Reserve Marines have made for their country for over 100 years. The ceremony was held as part of a series of events taking place in New York to recognize the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Centennial and honor the bond Reserve Marines share with their communities.

Marines from Brooklyn’s 6th Communication Battalion stand at attention during a remembrance ceremony for two Reserve Marines from their unit at Floyd Bennett Field, Aug. 30, 2016. Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtin and Gunnery Sgt. Matthew D. Garvey, first responders with the city’s police-fire departments, lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11. To honor their memory, Marine Corps Reserve Center Brooklyn dedicated the Curtin Garvey Complex and a 9/11 monument made partially with steel from the World Trade Center. The remembrance ceremony is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Centennial, celebrating 100 years of service and selfless dedication to the nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ian Leones/Released)

A rifle detail from Brooklyn’s 6th Communication Battalion fire three rifle volleys during a remembrance ceremony for two Reserve Marines from their unit at Floyd Bennett Field, Aug. 30, 2016. Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtin and Gunnery Sgt. Matthew D. Garvey, first responders with the city’s police fire departments, lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11. To honor their memory, Marine Corps Reserve Center Brooklyn dedicated the Curtin Garvey Complex and a 9/11 monument made partially with steel from the World Trade Center. The remembrance ceremony is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Centennial, celebrating 100 years of service and selfless dedication to the nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ian Leones/Released)

Members of the New York Police Department Emerald Society perform the Marines’ Hymn during a remembrance ceremony for two Reserve Marines from Brooklyn’s 6th Communication Battalion at Floyd Bennett Field, Aug. 30, 2016. Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtin and Gunnery Sgt. Matthew D. Garvey, first responders with the city’s police fire departments, lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11. To honor their memory, Marine Corps Reserve Center Brooklyn dedicated the Curtin Garvey Complex and a 9/11 monument made partially with steel from the World Trade Center. The remembrance ceremony is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Centennial, celebrating 100 years of service and selfless dedication to the nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ian Leones/Released)

Video: Apache stuck in mud after emergency landing near Houston



Apache helicopter stuck in muddy field near Baytown

A Texas Army National Guard helicopter made an unplanned, soft landing Tuesday night outside of Houston -- maybe a little too soft.

The UH-64D landed in a muddy field in Wallisville, Texas, after experiencing "mechanical issues," the Texas Military Department said in a Thursday news release. No crew members were injured, but images from the site show the Apache sitting slightly askew, one side dipping into the earth.

A truck driver who witnessed the landing told KHOU-TV that the pilot "did an excellent job putting her down. It could have been a lot worse."

The crew was performing a routine training mission when the landing took place, according to the news release; a TANG spokeswoman could not immediately provide information on the Apache's unit. Initial reports suggest transmission trouble, but a full inspection is planned after the helicopter reaches solid ground.

A CH-47 Chinook from near Dallas was expected to lift the Apache out of the mud Thursday afternoon using a sling, per the release. 

By: Kevin Lilley, September 1, 2016 (Photo Credit: KHOU-TV)

Firefighters help community in Blue Cut Fires

Combat Center firefighters are always on call to serve the installation. Occasionally, that response expands past the borders of the front gate, reinforcing the Combat Center’s commitment to serving the community. The Combat Center Fire Department received a request for a mutual aid, strike team assignment, to support the Blue Cut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, Aug. 17-21, 2016. Engine 451, made up of Fire Captain Wayne Giannini, James Carroll, diver and operator, as well as firefighters and paramedics Coy Benedict and Ben Grodjesk, who responded to the request and supported San Bernardino County Fire Department.
The team reported in to the West Cajon Structure Defense Group with the mission of patrolling the area off California Highway 138, between U.S. Interstate 15 and California Highway 2, locating and extinguishing hot spots with the potential to threaten structures as well as identifying areas for follow-up extinguishing efforts.
“We were out there for about four days putting out hotspots to help make sure the fire does not kick back up again,” Grodjesk said. “Being able to go out there and help these people in some of their hardest times is one of the reasons that I do this.”
In addition to extinguishing of fires, the Combat Center’s firefighters conducted foot patrols around and throughout the area. The team also aided in the cutting down of trees that possessed a falling hazard to people and their possessions in the area.
“By helping out in efforts like the Blue Cut Fires, it allows us to show what we can do to help preserve what they have and help them when they need it,” Grodjesk said. “It is one of the most important things we can do as firefighters.”
Warming up to meet mission
The Combat Center Fire Department works to provide the Combat Center and the surrounding community with high quality emergency fire and rescue service, an excellent fire prevention program, a fire fighting force capable of handling emergencies which include structural firefighting, hazardous material response, all types of rescues, and other various emergencies and catastrophes. In order to maintain the high standard of training and education required of their personnel, the Combat Center Fire Department conducted training and certification to continue to prepare for future emergencies at the Combat Center’s Fire Station, Aug. 26.
The training simulated an apartment fire, a propane fire and a car fire. These help the firefighters remain ready for the types of emergencies they could face aboard the base.
“We conducted this training today for two reasons,” said Tom Fowler, fire captain, Combat Center Fire Department. “The first was to certify a new firefighter and see if he is prepared to work in this job field. The second is to keep the ideas and techniques fresh in the minds of the members of this department. We are doing everything we can to be ready for the people of the community and any emergency.”
The training keeps the members of the fire department up to the task of responding to any emergency so they may continue to improve the quality of life of the Combat Center and the surrounding communities.

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES
09.01.2016
Story by Cpl. Thomas Mudd
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms

Mississippi Military cutting firefighter positions at Shelby

CAMP SHELBY, MS (WDAM) -
The full-time firefighting staff at Camp Shelby is being cut in half.

The Mississippi Military Department is eliminating eight of sixteen firefighting positions at the post, due to a reduction in force policy.

The cuts take effect Sept. 30.

National Guard officials said some of the firefighters will be retiring, while others will be moved to other firefighting positions within the National Guard.

Those officials also said the cuts will not affect fire protection at Camp Shelby.

By Charles Herrington, Reporter