Colo. National Guard supporting Spring Fire response

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer | (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Maj. Darin Overstreet) 

GARDNER, CO, UNITED STATES
07.03.2018
Story by Tech. Sgt. Dixie Manzanares
Colorado National Guard

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – By order of the Governor, 32 Colorado National Guard members assisted the Spring Fire incident commander with traffic control points in Costilla County beginning July 1, 2018.

With the addition of 32 members requested for arrival July 3, there will be more than 50 Colorado Army National Guard members and 10 Colorado Air National Guard members supporting security throughout the affected area.

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and crews, equipped with aerial water buckets, from the Chief Warrant Officer 5 David R. Carter Army Aviation Support Facility based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, arrived at or around 2 p.m., July 2, and are expected to conduct firefighting operations following reception and a flight briefing.

“We are here to help our neighbors in Huerfano and Costilla County to save lives, prevent suffering and mitigate great property damage,” Director of the Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White said.

The CONG has been providing an aviation search and rescue standby capability in support of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center since July 1. The High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site facility in Gypsum, Colorado, is supporting the mission which is rapid response to aviation search and rescue missions, primarily for firefighter safety, in support of multiple wildfire responses throughout Colorado.

On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force - Centennial commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in assisting Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage.

For information about the:
Spring Fire, go to www.Twitter.com/SpringFire2018, www.Facebook.com/SpringFire2018, or 719-695-9604 (East side only)

Colorado National Guard, visit www.co.ng.mil, Twitter @CONG1860, or Facebook @CONG1860.

Also follow #SpringFire #SpringCreekFire and #cofire.

CONG Current News Releases:
https://co.ng.mil/SitePages/cong.aspx

File photos:
Colorado National Guard firefighting: http://bit.ly/1bvVyfb
High-altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site: http://bit.ly/19uP4k9

File video:
National Guard firefighting: http://bit.ly/KZQeZI

B-roll:
Bambi-Bucket® drops, Black Forest fire: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/293469/black-forest-fire
Bambi-Bucket® drops, High Park fire: http://bit.ly/17H61HJ

Nevada Air National Guard requested for Colorado firefighting effort

A 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, C-130 aircraft sits on the flight line July 5, 2018 moments before leaving Reno for Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado to assist federal agencies there with several fires burning in the Centennial State.

RENO, NV, UNITED STATES
07.05.2018
Story by 2nd Lt. Emerson Marcus
152 Airlift Wing/Public Affairs

The National Interagency Fire Center has requested one C-130 aircraft and aircrew from the 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, to aid firefighting efforts in Colorado.

The aircraft, operating the USDA Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, departed Reno this morning for its initial deployment location at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

The 152nd Airlift Wing, known as the "High Rollers," is one of four military C-130 units around the nation equipped with MAFFS for largescale wildland firefighting.

The Reno unit will join two other military units in Colorado: the 302nd Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard.

The initial request lasts through July 12.

About a half dozen large wildfires have ravaged areas around the Centennial State this summer and burned more than 100 homes. The 152nd Airlift Wing, along with other MAFFS crew, could potentially be called for any of these fires.

"The High Rollers always stand ready to answer the call for federal firefighting missions," said Lt. Col. Steve Mills, 192nd Airlift Squadron commander and pilot with the 152nd Airlift Wing. "We've read in the news about the devastation from the fires in Colorado and we're prepared to do anything we're asked to do to help fight the fires."

MAFFS equipment, loaded into the cargo compartment of a C-130 aircraft, can drop up to 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in six seconds through a nozzle on the rear left side of the plane. The U.S. Forest Service owns MAFFS equipment and supplies retardant, while each of the four military units provide C-130 aircraft, maintenance, support personnel and flight crews to fly the missions.

Given the military’s non-compete clause with private industry, private air tankers receive first request for largescale, wildland firefighting. Military units have provided the surge capacity with MAFFS since 1974, but are only activated after private contractor assets are exhausted and the forest service deems additional support is necessary.

The 152nd Airlift Wing was named the newest MAFFS unit in 2016, replacing the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard. Since 2016, 152nd Airlift Wing aircrew have worked and trained with other MAFFS units in order to gain certification for wildland firefighting. This summer could mark the first autonomous firefighting missions for the unit without assistance from other units since it entered the MAFFS community two years ago.

#IamSCHRIEVER Portraits - 4th of July

Stephen Hardman, firefighter with the Schriever fire department. "IamSCHRIEVER Portraits” feature photos and interviews of Team Schriever members and aim to engage community members and share their stories and experiences with all of Team Schriever. The intent is to increase awareness, appreciation and engagement of diversity within the force and enable more open, honest and respectful communication throughout base. If you are interested in sharing your stories, call the 50th Space Wing Public Affairs office at 719-567-5040.

Mark Crane, firefighter with the Schriever fire Department. "IamSCHRIEVER Portraits” feature photos and interviews of Team Schriever members and aim to engage community members and share their stories and experiences with all of Team Schriever. The intent is to increase awareness, appreciation and engagement of diversity within the force and enable more open, honest and respectful communication throughout base. If you are interested in sharing your stories, call the 50th Space Wing Public Affairs office at 719-567-5040.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES

06.26.2018

Photo by Kathryn Calvert 

50th Space Wing Public Affairs

MCB Camp Pendleton firefighter strives to make difference

Photo By Cpl. Lukas Kalinauskas | Rusty Duke, right, a lieutenant with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Fire Station #1, leads a morning meeting at Fire Station #1, MCB Camp Pendleton, California, June 15, 2018. Duke has been a firefighter for 18 years, protecting local communities from hundreds of fires and leading junior firefighters. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lukas Kalinauskas) 

UNITED STATES
06.19.2018
Story by Cpl. Lukas Kalinauskas
Marine Corps Installations West - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – “Every day is a regular day for us, but when we get a call, that could be the worst day of their life,” said Lt. Rusty Duke, a lieutenant with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Fire Station #1.

Duke, 37, from San Clemente, Calif., has experienced a lot in his 18 years as a firefighter. Starting from a humble beginning as a volunteer firefighter with the Orange County Fire Authority, Duke got his foot in the door in 2008 when he began his firefighting career working for the United States Forest Service.

After starting in his current position as a firefighter at MCB Camp Pendleton 10 years ago, Duke has been a valuable part of preventing and combating wildfires on base. In 2017, there were 231 fires on base, and of those 231 fires, Duke was involved in containing and extinguishing many of them.

Duke was first interested in firefighting after taking a career aptitude test in high school. When the test revealed he was best suited to be a firefighter, police officer, or construction worker, he decided firefighting was the best fit for him.

“I didn’t grow up going to fire stations and getting excited by fire trucks, but once I started looking into it, I realized this job was meant for me,” said Duke.

As a firefighter, it’s Duke’s job to control and extinguish fires as well as respond to emergencies where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Whether there’s a cat stuck in a tree, someone getting attacked by a shark, or even a baby being born, Duke or one of his fellow firefighters have been there.

“I’ve delivered babies on the side of the street, in cars, in living rooms,” said Duke. “To be able to say I delivered a baby, I brought a life into the world, it’s a pretty good feeling.”

As a lieutenant, leader, and mentor, Duke ensures his junior firefighters strive to broaden their knowledge and skillsets by training on swift water rescue procedures, trench rescue techniques, building-collapse scenarios and any other emergencies a firefighter may face.

“If it doesn’t require a gun to deal with, people expect the fire department to deal with it, and we do; that’s what we’re here for,” said Joey Araiza, a captain with MCB Camp Pendleton Fire Station #1. He has worked with Duke for 10 years. “There’s never a dull moment with Lt. Duke, and he wants the best for other people.”

As Duke looks towards a promotion to captain he hopes he can continue to leave a lasting impression on his junior firefighters so they can be more effective first responders. As a captain, he can assume more responsibility and maintain positive change within the MCB Camp Pendleton Fire Department.

“I want my firefighters to be better than I am; that’s the legacy I wanna leave,” said Duke. “Even if it’s just one person, making a difference in that one person’s life is a very rewarding feeling.”

Fort McCoy Vehicle Recovery.

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

03.23.2018

Courtesy Photo

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office            

Members of the Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department retrieve a vehicle from the water at an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake on South Post on March 23, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. Firefighters completed diver training to remove the sunken vehicle from the bottom of the lake. Fort McCoy firefighters regularly train on a variety of life-saving skills to maintain certifications and readiness. (U.S. Army Photo by Jeremy Olivier, Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department, Fort McCoy, Wis.)

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

04.13.2018

Story by Scott Sturkol           

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office            

Members of the Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department completed diving training at an ice-covered Big Sandy Lake on South Post on March 23, 2018, at Fort McCoy, Wis. 

Firefighters held the training to remove a sunken vehicle from the bottom of the lake. 

Fort McCoy firefighters regularly train on a variety of life-saving skills to maintain certifications and readiness.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter