Urban Search and Rescue Operations Training in Okinawa

Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire and Emergency Services and a Kadena Fire Department Rescue Technician enter the breached wall May, 29, 2019 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. MCIPAC Fire and Emergency Services trained alongside Kadena Fire Department Rescue Technicians and Navy Corpsman from the U.S. Naval Hospital to engage scenarios of possible terrorism and, or, structural collapse due to the environmental elements presented on Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brennan J. Beauton)

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN
05.29.2019
Story by Lance Cpl. Brennan Beauton
Marine Corps Installations Pacific 
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CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire and Emergency Services exercised urban search and rescue interoperability training alongside Kadena Fire Department Rescue technicians and Navy Corpsman from the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa for a simulated structural collapse May 29-30, 2019 on Camp Hansen, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler.

The training was designed to simulate scenarios of possible terrorism, or structural collapse due to environmental extremes presented on Okinawa.

“Training always prepares for us to respond to real-world emergencies,” said Staff Sgt. Kyle Ledford, a firefighter for Kadena Fire Emergency and Services. “They can happen anytime, anywhere, so we have to train to practice our skills, hone them, and make them better.”

Crews arrived on scene to a possible terroristic event. The simulation systematically unraveled as a vehicle had careened over victims and crashed into a two-story building exploding into a fireball perpetuating a partial building collapse.

“This training consists of an emergency response to a situation for example; if an earthquake, typhoon or even a terrorist attack hits and a building on an installation collapses, we will be prepared to support ourselves,” said Jerry Bowling, assistant chief of operations MCIPAC Fire and Emergency Services Japan.

The firefighters worked to extinguish a fire, triage surface victims and called for the mobilization of the MCIPAC Urban Search and Rescue team while Corpsman addressed the immediate needs of multiple critical patients for a Mass Casualty Incident. Kadena Fire Department’s rescue technicians arrived on scene to support a labor intensive rescue effort of trapped persons.

“I would say the hardest part of this training is cutting into the concrete structure,” said Ledford. “It’s very time consuming and a lot of manual labor to use the equipment.”

After rescue technicians worked together to stabilize crumbling structures from further collapse, they breached six inch thick concrete walls, braced ceilings, and navigated an extremely confined space to conduct lifesaving rescue operations.

According to Bowling, today’s training was an avenue to test the three agencies ability communicate and operate successfully.

“To put the pieces in place and to rescue somebody, communication is vital,” said Bowling. “This will definitely help in real-world situations. The more hands-on training we have the better we are able to communicate with each other and rescue whomever maybe in trouble.”



Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire and Emergency Services execute a dirty breach of a wall May, 29, 2019 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. MCIPAC Fire and Emergency Services trained alongside Kadena Fire Department Rescue Technicians and Navy Corpsman from the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa to engage scenarios of possible terrorism and, or, structural collapse due to the environmental elements presented on Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brennan J. Beauton)

Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire and Emergency Services simulate carrying out a patient May, 29, 2019 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. MCIPAC Fire and Emergency Services trained alongside Kadena Fire Department Rescue Technicians and Navy Corpsman from the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa to engage scenarios of possible terrorism and, or, structural collapse due to the environmental elements presented on Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brennan J. Beauton)

Forward Arming and Refueling Point Operations during Sentinel Edge 2019

COLD LAKE, AB, CANADA
06.18.2019
Photo by Sgt. Andy Martinez 
Marine Forces Reserve 

U.S. Marine aircraft rescue and firefighting specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 471, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, pose for a photo during a Forward Arming Refueling Point operation at Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, Alberta, Canada, June 18, 2019, in support of Sentinel Edge 19. Exercises like SE19 ensure MARFORRES is a proficient force, ready for world-wide deployment at any given time. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Andy O. Martinez)

A UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares to take off during Forward Arming Refueling Point operations at Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, Alberta, Canada, June 18, 2019, in support of Sentinel Edge 19. Exercises like SE19 ensure MARFORRES is a proficient force, ready for world-wide deployment at any given time. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Andy O. Martinez)

A U.S. Marine with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares a training rocket during Forward Arming Refueling Point operations at Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, Alberta, Canada, June 18, 2019, in support of Sentinel Edge 19. Exercises like SE19 ensure MARFORRES is a proficient force, ready for world-wide deployment at any given time. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Andy O. Martinez)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Evan Zink, left, a radio operator; Cpl. Michael Hedlund, center, a radio technician, and Cpl. Devan Wanek, right, a radio operator, all with Marine Wing Support Squadron 471, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, pose for a photo during a Forward Arming Refueling Point operation at Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, Alberta, Canada, June 18, 2019, in support of Sentinel Edge 19. Exercises like SE19 ensure MARFORRES is a proficient force, ready for world-wide deployment at any given time. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Andy O. Martinez)

Turn up the heat: Camp Pendleton Fire Department hosts Wildland Fire School

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES
06.05.2019
Photo by Sgt. Gabino Perez
Marine Corps Installations West - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton 

Firefighters from numerous Southern California firefighting agencies participate in the annual Wildland Fire School on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 5, 2019. The training is hosted by the Camp Pendleton Fire Department to strengthen partnerships with the surrounding agencies and to perform prescribed burns on the Installations training areas in preparation for the upcoming fire season. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Gabino Perez)

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Gabino Perez)

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Gabino Perez)

Keesler hosts joint live fire training

BILOXI, MS, UNITED STATES
06.04.2019
Photo by Kemberly Groue
81st Training Wing Public Affairs 

Rusty Bell, 81st Infrastructure Division firefighter, operates a fire truck to extinguish a fire on a mock C-123 training device during an aircraft rescue fire fighting training on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, June 4, 2019. The joint agency training allowed the Keesler Fire Department, Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center Fire Department, Stennis Airport Fire Department and the U.S. Naval Air Station Pensacola Gulf Coast Fire Rescue to meet the semi-annual training requirement to practice aircraft rescue and live fire training evolutions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Rusty Bell, 81st Infrastructure Division firefighter, and Gary Pierson, 81st ID deputy fire chief, discuss approaching procedures during an aircraft rescue fire fighting training on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, June 4, 2019. The joint agency training allowed the Keesler Fire Department, Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center Fire Department, Stennis Airport Fire Department and the U.S. Naval Air Station Pensacola Gulf Coast Fire Rescue to meet the semi-annual training requirement to practice aircraft rescue and live fire training evolutions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler firefighters use a hand-held hose to extinguish a fire on a mock C-123 training device during an aircraft rescue fire fighting training on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, June 4, 2019. The joint agency training allowed the Keesler Fire Department, Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center Fire Department, Stennis Airport Fire Department and the U.S. Naval Air Station Pensacola Gulf Coast Fire Rescue to meet the semi-annual training requirement to practice aircraft rescue and live fire training evolutions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

(U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

NAS Whidbey Island Conducts Reliant Mishap Exercise

OAK HARBOR, WA, UNITED STATES
06.11.2019
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Cuenca
Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest 

190611-N-HC646-0032 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (June 11, 2019) Dallas Smith, firefighter, Navy Region Northwest Fire & Emergency Services Battalion Three, extracts a training prop to safety while conducting a hot pit fire simulation during Exercise Reliant Mishap onboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Reliant Mishap is a semi-annual aircraft mishap drill providing training and awareness on potential aircraft mishaps that could occur on NAS Whidbey Island as an air station. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca/Released)

190611-N-HC646-0024 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (June 11, 2019) Sailors assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 participate in a hot pit fire simulation during Exercise Reliant Mishap onboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Reliant Mishap is a semi-annual aircraft mishap drill providing training and awareness on potential aircraft mishaps that could occur on NAS Whidbey Island as an air station. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca/Released)

190611-N-HC646-0036 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (June 11, 2019) Members of Navy Region Northwest Fire & Emergency Services Battalion Three transfer a training prop while conducting a hot pit fire simulation during Exercise Reliant Mishap onboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Reliant Mishap is a semi-annual aircraft mishap drill providing training and awareness on potential aircraft mishaps that could occur on NAS Whidbey Island as an air station. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca/Released)