The crash and salvage team stand watch on the flight deck

ATLANTIC OCEAN
08.22.2019
Photo by Seaman Jarrod Schad
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) 

U.S. Sailors assigned to the crash and salvage team stand watch on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 22, 2019. The John C. Stennis is underway conducting routine operations in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jarrod A. Schad)


U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jarrod Schad, from Lake Elmo, Minnesota, takes photos on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 22, 2019. The John C. Stennis is underway conducting routine operations in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Skyler Okerman)

407th ECES builds joint firefighting foundation during airfield exercise

Photo By Senior Airman Lane Plummer | Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron await an after-action report meeting following an airfield exercise at Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. After training, firefighters conduct a meeting to discuss how the exercise went and how, if they can, to improve on the next instance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lane T. Plummer)

KUWAIT
08.23.2019
Story by Senior Airman Lane Plummer
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs 

The exercise was an opportunity for service members from multiple branches to cooperate on one of the most intense scenarios a firefighter could be called for: an aircraft on fire on the flightline.

“We had a simulated MV-22 engine fire,” said U.S. Marine Sgt. Casey Madigan, Marine Wing Support Detachment 473rd Expeditionary fire and rescue. “We arrived on scene, the crash truck put out the fire in the engine. Our rescue crew brought out five casualties and we provided them [simulated] medical care.”

Several emergency service vehicles arrived on-scene and simulated putting out the fire in the MV-22 Osprey then providing immediate medical care to the victims. Firefighters and medical personnel involved included Airmen, Marines and Sailors.

“Working with all branches in the military gets us familiar with protocol procedures that everybody does with our actions and how we handle things on-scene,” Madigan said. “It really helps with real-world scenarios.”

In order to accurately recreate this realism, it required equipment, aircraft vehicular support that the fire station was able to provide.

“We use all our crash vehicles like a video game,” said Tech Sgt. Aaron Alcaraz, 407th ECES fire station captain, deployed from the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing at Peoria, IL. “They have joysticks we use to physically fight the fire before transitioning to exterior operations with traditional handlines and fire hoses.”

All-in-all, the exercise concluded with a lot of positives for all members to take and learn from.

“People come from all different parts of the country,” Alcaraz said. “We have to take all of them and bring them into one cohesive fire department, and the only way to do that is to train like we did today.”

An Air Force firefighter is prepared to operate in unusual environments compared to those on the outside, and thanks to successful training exercises, those environments stay preserved and safe.

“Every firefighter joins to be hands-on,” Alcaraz said. “We’re all hands-on in everything we do. None of us like sitting behind a desk staring at a PowerPoint presentation all day. As long as we’re capable of doing exercises, that’s what we do. We try to come up with as many scenarios as we can to accomplish this.”

Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron prepare to enter an MV-22 Osprey during an airfield exercise at Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The exercise was an opportunity for service members from multiple branches to cooperate on one of the most intense scenarios a firefighter could be called for: an aircraft on fire on the flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mozer O. Da Cunha)


A firefighter with the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron remove a simulated casualty from an MV-22 Osprey during an airfield exercise at Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The exercise was an opportunity for service members from multiple branches to cooperate on one of the most intense scenarios a firefighter could be called for: an aircraft on fire on the flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mozer O. Da Cunha)


U.S. military service members participate in an airfield exercise at Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The exercise was an opportunity for service members from multiple branches to cooperate on one of the most intense scenarios a firefighter could be called for: an aircraft on fire on the flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lane T. Plummer)


Tech. Sgt. Aaron Alcaraz, 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire station captain, communicates with firefighters during an airfield exercise at Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. Several emergency service vehicles arrived on-scene and simulated putting out the fire in the MV-22 Osprey then providing immediate medical care to the victims. Firefighters and medical personnel involved included Airmen, Marines and Sailors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lane T. Plummer)


Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron spray a MV-22 Osprey with water during an airfield exercise at Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The exercise was an opportunity for service members from multiple branches to cooperate on one of the most intense scenarios a firefighter could be called for: an aircraft on fire on the flightline. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mozer O. Da Cunha)

25 CENTRAL AMERICAN FIREFIGHTERS GRADUATE FROM U.S. AIR FORCE LED EXERCISE

Joint Task Force-Bravo, 612th Air Squadron firefighters trained with 25 firefighters from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and Costa Rica at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras during Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences (CENTAM SMOKE), a biannual exercise held on base, August 19 - 23. Five representatives from each Central American nation received basic training in safety practices, personal protection equipment, structural and wildland fires, aircraft fires, vehicle extrication and helicopter familiarization. Participants pose for a photo at the Soto Cano Fire Department, August 23, 2019.

COMAYAGUA, HONDURAS
08.23.2019
Story by Maria Pinel
Joint Task Force Bravo 

Joint Task Force-Bravo, 612th Air Squadron firefighters trained with 25 firefighters from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and Costa Rica at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras during Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences (CENTAM SMOKE), a biannual exercise held on base, August 19 - 23.

Five representatives from each Central American nation received basic training in safety practices, personal protection equipment, structural and wildland fires, aircraft fires, vehicle extrication and helicopter familiarization.

During the multinational event, firefighters had the opportunity to work as a team and establish strong bonds of camaraderie and support among partner nations.

"While the purpose of CENTAM SMOKE aims to achieve many objectives, I want to reinforce the power of our strong partnerships and the special responsibility of emergency responders," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Hilburn Caulder, JTF-B deputy commander.

Soto Cano Air Base offers an ideal space for this type of training. Throughout the week, the Central American firefighters experienced different scenarios and tests, divided into multinational teams, and rotated through the Mobile Aircraft Fire Training at the Soto Cano flight line, followed by live-structural fires, vehicle rescue training and wildland fire practices.

“Wake up every day with that desire to be just a little bit better than you were the day before,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Washburn, 612 ABS commander, as advice to all participants during his closing remarks. “Train your mind, train your body, train your team, so when the unexpected happens and chaos and uncertainty surround you, you can answer the call.”

The exercise was designed to create and strengthen professional and personal bonds by creating environments where the multinational firefighters face challenges and overcome the obstacles together.

“CENTAM SMOKE enabled us to ignite the engine of response with those who are strangers on Monday to becoming lifesaving trusted partners today,” said Caulder.
Since 2007, U.S. Air Force firefighters have provided fire and rescue training that has helped develop regional capabilities and interoperability. After completing a week of challenging activities, participants return to their nations with new knowledge that they can put into practice and transmit to their home stations, using this opportunity as an effective-force multiplier.

“We are humbled by the 1,200 partner nation firefighting professionals who have trained over the years at CENTAM SMOKE, and prepared themselves to not run away from danger, but to run into danger. You represent the courage and bond of the brothers and sister of emergency response,” said Caulder.

Joint Task Force-Bravo, 612th Air Squadron firefighters trained with 25 firefighters from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and Costa Rica at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras during Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences (CENTAM SMOKE), a biannual exercise held on base, August 19 - 23. Firefighters participate in aircraft fire training, August 21, 2019.

Military personnel injured in car accident while assigned to Swan Lake Fire traffic control points

The Alaska Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, supports the McKinley Fire suppression mission Aug. 19, 2019, with two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The helicopters dropped more than 100,000 gallons of water during a total of 9.5 flight hours in support of this mission. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Cody McKinney)

ANCHORAGE, AK, UNITED STATES
08.25.2019
Story by Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead
Alaska National Guard Public Affairs 

Three Air National Guardsmen and one member of the Alaska State Defense Force assigned to Swan Lake Fire traffic control points were involved in a vehicle accident early Saturday morning on the Sterling Highway when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. All suffered minor injuries and the vehicle was totaled.

The personnel were back-filled with additional Air Guardsmen, in place by late Saturday afternoon.

The Alaska Army and Air National Guard have been assisting the Division of Forestry with McKinley and Swan Lake Fires since August 18.

The National Guard is providing traffic management support for both fires, and is on stand-by to assist with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter water bucket drops as requested. They are also preparing to assist local authorities if Cooper Landing receives an evacuation order.

Traffic control points are essential to the safety of individuals passing through the area because they allow better flow of traffic and accountability of personnel in hazardous areas.

The Guardsmen and ASDF Soldiers are on duty 24/7, rotating shifts in order to maintain proper flow of traffic in the areas.

Two Black Hawk helicopters were deployed from Bryant Army Air Field August 19 in support of fire suppression at the McKinley Fire. They dropped over 100,000 gallons of water along fire lines and hotspots. They remained on call through the week and are prepared to support upon request as needed.

The Alaska National Guard has responded to the call from civil authorities to support wildfire response efforts since July 1. The Guard has assisted at eight different fires this summer, in an area that spans over 90-thousand square miles. In addition to the McKinley and Swan Lake Fires, Alaska Guardsmen responded to fires in East Anchorage, Montana Creek, Malaspina, Klutina, Rampart, and Rainbow 2.

There are nearly four thousand Airmen and Soldiers in the National Guard who live, work and train in communities throughout Alaska. They are equipped and ready to respond as needed for the nation and state. During domestic response operations, the Guard partners with state and federal agencies to assist with resources, personnel, equipment and capabilities as requested.

99 Firefighters, but a slacker ain’t one

Photo By Airman 1st Class Andrew Bertain | PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –Fire protection Airmen from the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron train for aircraft fire scenarios Aug. 7, 2019, on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The firefighters practiced on a mock aircraft structure that is surrounded by a pool of water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andrew Bertain)
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, CO, UNITED STATES

08.27.2019
Story by Airman 1st Class Andrew Bertain
21st Space Wing Public Affairs 

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- When a person thinks of firefighters, he or she might conjure images of burning buildings, big red trucks or cats stuck in trees, but the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron fire department knows there’s a lot more to a fire department than what meets the eye. The 99 firefighters on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, train every day to be able to respond at a moment’s notice. They know how to handle every kind of scenario, from performing first aid to responding to a crashed aircraft.

“Once you reach staff sergeant, most of us have our airport and structural firefighting, emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician and hazmat technician certifications as well as wildland, ice water, swift water, high-angle and rope rescue certifications,” said Staff Sgt. Zachary Baldwin, 21st CES Fire Protection crew chief. “We kind of have to be jacks-of-all-trades.”

Not only do firefighters have a lot of situations to prepare for, but the 21st CES firefighters also have a lot of ground to cover.

“Every single firefighter assigned here and at [Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station] are staffed 24/7 and are prepared to respond to any emergency on or off base,” said Master Sgt. David Webster, 21st CES fire protection flight superintendent. “Besides [Peterson AFB], we also support Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and miles and miles of wildlands, and we are also the Colorado Springs Airport’s sole fire support.”

Despite these challenges, Peterson AFB was named the best fire protection in Air Force Space Command in 2017, and in 2018 Cheyenne Mountain AFS earned the title of the best small fire station in the U.S. Air Force.

Firefighters not only need to constantly improve their education and career, but it is also critical for them to maintain their physical fitness. These Airmen have to be able to act swiftly while wearing gear that weighs anywhere from 50 to 70 pounds, not to mention having to be able to carry people, climb ladders and operate heavy machinery.

“At the end of the day, no one wants to look a person’s family in the eye and say they weren’t physically fit enough to get them out,” said Baldwin.

Webster said that no matter what the emergency, he trusts his wingmen are up to the task.

“I am 100 percent confident in my firefighters,” said Webster. “If anyone calls on their worst day, every single firefighter here is going to answer that call of duty and take care of you and the emergency.”

To report a fire emergency call 911.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –Fire protection Airmen from the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron train for an aircraft fire scenario Aug. 7, 2019, on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The firefighters of Peterson not only get called for every in-flight emergency for military aircraft, but also for all commercial aircraft flying through the Colorado Springs Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andrew Bertain)