Kirtland bids farewell to Fire Chief Stewart

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Kirtland Air Force Base Fire Chief Darryl Stewart bids farewell to his fellow firefighters, mission partners and members of the 377th Mission Support Group during a ceremony April 16, 2019 at Fire Station 2 here. Stewart was presented with the Award for Meritorious Civilian Service and given gifts by his department, security forces, LRS and EOD. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessie Perkins)

Kirtland bids farewell to Fire Chief Stewart
KIRTLAND AFB, NM, UNITED STATES
04.17.2019
Story by James Fisher
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs 

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --
Team Kirtland and the Kirtland Air Force Base Fire Department said goodbye to the Fire Chief April 16, 2019, as Darryl Stewart was showered with gifts and accolades in a ceremony at Fire Station 2 here.

Stewart, who arrived at his post at Kirtland in March 2013, is now headed to be the installation fire chief at Fort Gordon, Ga. His six-plus years at Kirtland were distinguished earning him an Award for Meritorious Civilian Service. Numerous awards for the department were capped off with KAFBFD being named Air Force Global Strike Command’s Large Base Fire Department of the Year for 2018.

The fire chief, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant, was also instrumental in the stand-up of a paramedic non-firefighter transportation mission on Kirtland and an-house fire academy, which graduated seven new members of the KAFBFD last year, according to Deputy Fire Chief Jaime Jimenez.

“I’ve known him for the 25 years we served together [including] in the Air Force. He’s a remarkable leader and one of the smartest people I’ve ever met,” Jimenez said. “The chief will surely be missed.”

Jimenez was joined by representatives from 377th Mission Support Group, Security Forces, EOD, the Logistics Readiness Squadron, who presented Stewart with gifts and gratitude.

“Losing somebody like this is significant,” said Gary Schneider, MSG’s Chief of Civil Engineering. “But we know you have brought people up through the ranks and they will ensure this department will continue to succeed.”

Stewart returned the sentiments, thanked his fellow firefighters, mission partners, and administration for helping to meet a “series of challenges.”

“We are here to serve our community and save lives and protect property and that’s what we do extremely well. And I’m very proud to have been a part of that,” Stewart said.

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES
04.25.2019
Photo by Pfc. Andrew Cortez
Marine Corps Installations West - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton 

Frank Ortiz, fire fighter with the Camp Pendleton Fire Department, adjusts the water pressure of a fire hose during a controlled fire simulation training exercise at the Camp Pendleton Fire and Emergency Services training center, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 25, 2019. The Camp Pendleton and Vista Fire Departments conducted the training to ensure the preparedness of their firefighters in the event of a fire breakout on Camp Pendleton or in the surrounding area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Andrew Cortez)

Montana Dye, firefighter with the city of Vista Fire Department, runs a fire hose to the simulated fire zone during a controlled fire simulation training exercise at the Camp Pendleton Fire and Emergency Services training center, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 25, 2019. The Camp Pendleton and Vista Fire Departments conducted the training to ensure the preparedness of their firefighters in the event of a fire break out on Camp Pendleton or in the surrounding area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Andrew Cortez)

Firefighters from the Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton and the city of Vista Fire Departments exit the fire zone after extinguishing a fire during a controlled fire simulation training exercise at the Camp Pendleton Fire and Emergency Services training center, MCB Camp Pendleton, California, April 25, 2019. The two departments conducted the training to ensure the preparedness of their firefighters in the event of a fire breakout on Camp Pendleton or in the surrounding area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Andrew Cortez)

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES
04.16.2019
Photo by Airman 1st Class Erick Requadt
23rd Wing Public Affairs 

Staff Sgt. Evan Perez, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection crew chief, takes a breath after removing his headgear during an HH-60G Pave Hawk fire egress and pilot extrication during exercise FT 19-04, April 16, 2019, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The exercise focused on high operations tempo and the ability to survive and operate in a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear environment to meet Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Commander of Air Combat Command’s intent for readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erick Requadt)

Airmen from the 23d Civil Engineer Squadron extract simulated wounded personnel during an HH-60G Pave Hawk fire egress and pilot extrication during exercise FT 19-04, April 16, 2019, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The exercise focused on high-operations tempo and the ability to survive and operate in a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear environment to meet Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Commander of Air Combat Command’s intent for readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erick Requadt)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tanner Hardy, an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialistposes with junior recruits during junior recruit day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN
04.18.2019
Photo by Cpl. Seth Rosenberg
1st Marine Aircraft Wing   

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tanner Hardy, an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron poses with junior recruits during junior recruit day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 18, 2019. The event hosted children of MAG-12 Marines and Sailors ages seven to 17 to provide a hands-on experience of day-to-day life as a Marine or Sailor. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Seth Rosenberg)

Firefighters come to the rescue during FT 19-04

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES
04.17.2019
Photo by Senior Airman Erick Requadt
23rd Wing Public Affairs 

Firefighters from the 23d Civil Engineer Squadron pull a firehose during a structural live fire exercise during exercise FT 19-04, April 17, 2019, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The training simulated a structural fire, where the firefighters simultaneously extinguished a fire while rescuing simulated burn victims. The exercise focused on high operations tempo and the ability to survive and operate in a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear environment to meet Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Commander of Air Combat Command’s intent for readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erick Requadt)

Senior Airman Jacob Savage, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, watches to ensure proper hydraulic flow occurs during a structural live fire exercise during exercise FT 19-04, April 17, 2019, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The training simulated a structural fire, where the firefighters simultaneously extinguished a fire while rescuing simulated burn victims. The exercise focused on high operations tempo and the ability to survive and operate in a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear environment to meet Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Commander of Air Combat Command’s intent for readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erick Requadt)

Airmen from the 23d Civil Engineer Squadron carry a simulated burn victim during a structural live fire exercise during exercise FT 19-04, April 17, 2019, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The training simulated a structural fire, where the firefighters simultaneously extinguished a fire while rescuing simulated burn victims. The exercise focused on high operations tempo and the ability to survive and operate in a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear environment to meet Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Commander of Air Combat Command’s intent for readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erick Requadt)

Staff Sgt. Evan Perez, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection crew chief, carries a simulated burn victim during a structural live fire exercise during exercise FT 19-04, April 17, 2019, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The training simulated a structural fire, where the firefighters simultaneously extinguished a fire while rescuing simulated burn victims. The exercise focused on high operations tempo and the ability to survive and operate in a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear environment to meet Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Commander of Air Combat Command’s intent for readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erick Requadt)