The Marine Corps’ new fire truck is rolling toward FOC

Photo By Ashley Calingo | The Corps’ new firetruck, the P-19R, provides technologically advanced on-road and off-road rescue and firefighting capabilities to permanent and expeditionary airfields throughout the Marine Corps. Program Executive Officer Land Systems is currently fielding the P-19R to Marines worldwide. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Ashley Calingo)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES
04.09.2019
Story by Ashley Calingo
Marine Corps Systems Command

Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.—Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fight Marines are getting a modernized rig—their first in over 30 years. The P-19R ARFF will be the principal firefighting and crash response vehicle for the Marine Air Ground Task Force, and will be able to support all operations where the MAGTF is employed.

The Medium and Heavy Tactical Vehicles program office at Program Executive Officer Land Systems started fielding the P-19R vehicle in June 2017 and, since then, have fielded the majority of the new trucks to Marine Corps installations across the continental United States.

“So far, the reception from the Marines on the capability of the truck has been outstanding,” said Eric Miller, product manager for the P-19R at PEO Land Systems. “Obviously after 30 years, Marines are excited about having a new capability. It’s been very well received.”

The technological advancements made by Industry over the past few decades are reflected in the modernized truck. The P-19R integrates combat-proven performance and advanced firefighting technology to deliver cutting-edge on-road and off-road rescue and firefighting capabilities to permanent and expeditionary airfields throughout the Marine Corps.

With the P-19R—as with its predecessor, the P-19A—Marines are able to counter aircraft fires caused by crashes or other causes. The P-19R is safer, faster, has a more powerful engine and has nearly double the fuel capacity compared to its predecessor. The P-19R’s 600 horsepower engine enables the vehicle to accelerate from zero to 50 miles per hour in under 25 seconds, and can reach speeds over 70 miles per hour, enabling ARFF Marines to swiftly reach the scene of the action. To put this in context, the Corps’ workhorse Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement—more commonly known as the “MTVR” or “7-ton”—takes over 30 seconds to reach 50 miles per hour and has a maximum speed under 70 miles per hour.

Inside the cab, the P-19R is outfitted with a 10.4-inch display unit—dubbed the “command zone”—giving Marines the ability to monitor different aspects of the vehicle. The command zone enables Marines to keep tabs on everything from tire pressure to water and fluid levels, in addition to other internal diagnostics.

“The P-19R is a lot more technologically advanced and has more bells and whistles than the older [fire trucks] do,” said Cpl. Dominic Wirthlin, ARFF specialist with Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron in California. “The command zone tells us if anything’s wrong with the vehicle that can cause an issue so we can fix it before something breaks.”

The bumper and roof turret controls on the P19-R also received an upgrade. Using an electronic joystick, Marines are now able to maneuver the turrets and—with the push of a button—switch between spraying water and flame-suppressing foam.

“The turrets are manually-operated. It’s almost like playing a video game,” said Sgt. Christopher Cunningham, another ARFF specialist at MCAS Camp Pendleton H&HS. “Everything [on the P-19R] is technologically advanced. It’s just a really cool rig.”

Unlike its predecessor, however, the P-19R can be used off the airfield in tactical operations, such as combating structural fires and wildland fires. The ruggedized P-19R was designed so Marines have the ability to navigate through any terrain off-road they may encounter—from the mountains to the desert to the jungle.

“Prior to the P-19R, the fire station assets and the assets that the Marine Wing Support Squadrons use weren’t shared,” said Suzanne Deer, a logistician with the MHTV program office at PEO Land Systems. “With the P-19R, one vehicle can be used interchangeably between the air stations and the tactical community.”

From a logistical standpoint, the P-19R shares major components with other tactical vehicles in MHTV program portfolio—specifically, the Logistics Vehicle Systems Replacement vehicle and the MTVR—which will make it easier to source and replace parts as needed in its 22-year future, said Deer. For example, the P-19R shares a common engine with the LVSR, and uses the same suspension system as the MTVR. Additionally, the P-19R uses the same wheels and tires as both the LVSR and MTVR vehicles. It also shares the same central tire inflation system capable of maintaining and adjusting tire pressure according to the terrain, along with providing runflat protection for punctured tires.

With the bulk of the vehicles already fielded across I and II MEF, the program office is heading to Japan this summer to field the P-19R to III MEF and its associated Marine Wing Support Squadrons and Marine Corps Installations. The program office anticipates completing fielding of all 164 vehicles by February 2020.

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Marines use a P-19R to respond to an incident during an exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif, in February 2019. Program Executive Officer Land Systems is currently fielding the P-19R to Marines worldwide. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Ashley Calingo)

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Marines spray water from the bumper turret on the P-19R during an exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif, in February 2019. Program Executive Officer Land Systems is currently fielding the P-19R to Marines worldwide. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Ashley Calingo)

FDNY firefighter killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan

Christopher Slutman Facebook

3 American Soldiers, 1 US Contractor Killed In Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan

APRIL 09, 2019 - 3:16 AM

By Larry Celona April 9, 2019 | 12:39am | Updated

A decorated FDNY firefighter was among four Americans killed by a roadside bomb near the main U.S. base in Afghanistan on Monday, sources told The Post.

Christopher Slutman, a married father of three, worked at Ladder 27 in the Claremont section of the Bronx, the sources said.

Slutman, who was a 15-year veteran of the FDNY, also served as a U.S. Marine, according to sources.

One source remembered him as a devoted father and hard-working FDNY member.

“He was really a great guy,” the source said. “He loved being a fireman, and he was a real family man.”

Slutman was awarded the Fire Chiefs Association Memorial Medal in 2014 for rescuing an unconscious woman from a burning apartment in the South Bronx, according to FDNY records.

In the rescue, he crawled on the floor through the flames to reach a bedroom where the woman had passed out.

He and another firefighter then dragged the woman past the fire again and safely turned her over to medics in the lobby of the building.

Three U.S. service members and a contractor were killed in the blast when their convoy hit a roadside bomb north of Kabul on Monday, U.S. forces said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack after the killings.

The roadside blast hit the convoy near the Bagram Air Base, which is the main U.S. operations center in the country. The killings bring the total number of Americans killed in Afghanistan this year to seven.

Additional reporting by Ben Feuerherd

3 American soldiers, 1 US contractor killed in Afghanistan

By RAHIM FAIEZ

Afghan security forces gather at the site of Monday's attack near the Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Three American service members and a U.S. contractor were killed when their convoy hit a roadside bomb on Monday near the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, the U.S. forces said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Afghan security forces gather at the site of Monday's suicide attack near the Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Three American service members and a U.S. contractor were killed when their convoy hit a roadside bomb on Monday near the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, the U.S. forces said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

An Afghan security force check the site a day after an attack near the Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Three American service members and a U.S. contractor were killed when their convoy hit the roadside bomb on Monday near the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, the U.S. forces said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Afghans watch a civilian vehicle burnt after being shot by US forces after an attack near the Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Three American service members and a U.S. contractor were killed when their convoy hit a roadside bomb on Monday near the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, the U.S. forces said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

612th Air Base Squadron perform fire training in Alpha Block

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, HONDURAS
03.28.2019
Photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney
Joint Task Force-Bravo

U.S. Air Force firefighters assigned to the 612th Air Base Squadron perform fire training in Alpha Block at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, March 28, 2019. The firefighters started controlled fires and then practiced extinguishing them using old buildings on base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

Washington National Guard and WA DNR preparing together for fire season

Photo By Joseph Siemandel | Group photo of Washington National Guard members and civilian wildfire fighters working together at the Sheep Creek Fire in August 2018

CAMP MURRAY, WA, UNITED STATES

04.05.2019

Story by Joseph Siemandel 

Joint Forces Headquarters, Washington National Guard  

Springtime in Washington means the end of the long gray days, no more snow and potentially less rain in the forecast. It is also when the Washington National Guard and Washington Department of Natural resources team up to proactively prepare for the upcoming summer wildfire season. 

“We have made significant strides in building relationships with our DNR partners,” said Brig. Gen. Jeremy Horn, Director of the Joint Staff. “Our Guardsmen have enthusiasm when working together to help our communities and neighbors.”

On April 2, 2019, Guardsmen, Emergency Management professionals and meteorologists and fire scientists from Washington DNR held the annual “Fire Academy” on Camp Murray to discuss the 2019 fire season. 

Since 2014 more than 4,000 Guardsmen have been activated to support DNR, including the record setting 2014 and 2015 wildfire seasons. 

“I saw our guys come back to the fire camp after a hard day at the Sheep Creek Fire, soot covered and big smiles on their faces, they love helping their communities,” said Horn. “This has become the new norm for them and they take that very seriously.”

It’s the new norm for DNR as well. In 2018 DNR held 200 courses, trained more than 3,300 students and issued nearly 7,000 Red Cards to firefighters across the state. 

“Our goal is to keep 95 percent of the fires in the state to 10 acres or less,” said Chuck Turley, Wildfire Division manager for DNR. “We were able to keep 93 percent at 10 acres or less.” 

Turley highlights that 2018 was different from previous years, with 40 percent of the fires in the state originating in Western Washington. 

“We never put aviation assets in Western Washington during fire season and that changed last year,” said Turley. “The season saw our assets spread further than before.”

The outlook for the 2019 season is already being compared to the 2018 season, including an increase in fire activity in Western Washington according to Josh Clark, a meteorologist with DNR. 

“We are seeing above average temperatures across Washington already, and a lack of precipitation,” said Clark. “That mixed with low soil moisture levels could be bad for the 2019 season.”

Clark said the state is already dealing with drought conditions on the Olympic Peninsula and across Whatcom and Skagit counties. Rivers like the Nooksack and Skagit are below normal levels for this time of year. 

“We have seen a lot of the snow melt already and with about 60 to 70 percent of normal precipitation we are looking at a drier summer,” said Clark. “It isn’t about the temperatures in the summer, it is about how much rain and snow we get in the fall, winter and spring.”

Given this information, Washington National Guard leaders are acting earlier than before. Since January, many Guardsmen that have received their Red Card certification have completed their refresher course. The Washington National Guard’s 96th Aviation Troop Command completed its water bucket recertification in March. Units have already begun to identify more than 150 Guardsmen to conduct Red Card training in May or June, with the potential for more to be added to the list.

“We know it is not a question of if, but now a question of when,” said Col. Kevin McMahan, director of the Washington National Guard’s Joint Staff.

Airmen Head South For Annual Training

BANGOR, ME, UNITED STATES
04.04.2019
Story by Airman Erick Green
101st Air Refueling Wing/Public Affairs 

SAVANNAH AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ga. (April 4, 2019) -- Airmen at the 101st Air Refueling Wing are very committed to mission-readiness and being prepared for anything thrown at them. Being mission-ready sometimes takes a little more than performing exercises in our home state of Maine though. For the Airmen in the Fire and Emergency Services flight here at the 101st, they take advantage of the opportunity that has been given to them in traveling down south to Savannah, Georgia at the 165th Airlift Wing. Here the 101st is met with other guardsmen from other parts of New England who are ready to train as well.
“Our mission goal while in Savannah is to build comradery while still accomplishing the required training that we came here to do,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeremiah Jordan, the military Fire Chief at the 101st Air Refueling Wing. “Our goal is to make sure our Airmen are both deployable and in other cases getting the training that they need to go onto their next skill level.”
The opportunity to be able to come to Savannah was something that Jordan wanted to jump on once the chance presented itself.
“The chance to be able to come down here and experience the diversity of thought that many other Guard units have was something that I wanted my unit and I to experience,” said Jordan. “The different ways that they do things could help our unit see other ways of doing our job opposed to just the way that the 101st operates.”
The 101st has come to Savannah for the past four years for this annual training, and every year the training has changed and improved in a variety of ways, this is all thanks to Jordan and the other higher-ranking enlisted that accompany him on this trip. One of the key leaders in the evolution of these annual exercises is Chief Master Sgt. Robert Cross, the Installation Fire Chief for the 103rd Airlift Wing in Connecticut.
“One of our main goals as we try to evolve this training year after year is to retain our firefighters,” said Cross. “We collected data that a lot of Airmen were leaving because they didn’t feel like they were actually military firefighters.
“So once we captured that data, we developed a plan a few years ago to come down to Savannah and build comradery amongst the units,” said Cross. “We wanted to get our firefighting training done in a very short period of time without anything external taking away from the training and getting the job done.”
The 101st was not always apart of the annual training in Savannah though, as originally it was only a couple of different Guard units that came together in Georgia for a significantly smaller gathering.
“Originally it was Connecticut and Rhode Island that came down here for a couple years before we came along with them,” said Jordan. “In 2016 we jumped in and along the way a couple more Guard units joined as well and together we all made the training that our Airmen are experiencing this week possible.”
The training in Savannah that the Airmen endured includes learning key knowledge like how to handle hazardous material and to use the technology involved, vehicle extrication, how to use cables to navigate down buildings in order to rescue trapped victims, small arms certification, extinguishing a live fire and other practical examinations such as situations that they would face while on the job.
“Being able to come down here and worry about nothing but training has really helped not only the 101st, but the other units gathered here as well,” said Jordan. “Not having to worry about Commander’s Call, or medical appointments or anything else external and to just train and only worry about training has helped us so much.”