Warrior Finds A Way

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Avery | Capt. Devin Reierson, Chief of Plans, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), on the job with the Chaumont volunteer fire department after a first responder call.

FORT DRUM, NY, UNITED STATES
09.07.2019
Story by Staff Sgt. James Avery
1st Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division (LI) 


On August 24, 2019 at 10:17 p.m. the Chaumont volunteer fire department received a call for emergency responders to the home of Larissa Blake, who unexpectedly went into labor. Among those first responders was a volunteer firefighter and U.S. Army captain Devin Reierson.

Reierson, along with the help of EMT Nicholas Birchenough, delivered the baby at 10:29 p.m. in the Blake’s bathroom.

“Not all the calls are good ones, but this one was good,” said Capt. Reierson, Chief of Plans, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. “I’ve been a volunteer firefighter in one capacity or another for about ten years now, and it’s an incredibly rewarding way to actively serve in the local community.”

In the last year Capt. Reierson has logged 530 hours as a volunteer fire fighter at the Chaumont volunteer fire department. During that time he has served as the 2nd Assistant Chief responding to calls across the North Country community.

“Being a volunteer firefighter was the coolest thing I could think of when I was 18 years old,” said Capt. Reierson.

Even with responsibilities to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, Capt. Reierson manages to balance both his professional requirements and his volunteer aspirations, and he plans to continue his service in both as long as he can.

Capt. Devin Reierson (right), Chief of Plans, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), poses with members of the Chaumont volunteer fire department after a first responder call.

Fallen 9/11 Firefighters Honored by VTANG and South Burlington Fire Departments

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT, UNITED STATES
09.11.2019
Photo by Ryan Campbell
158th Fighter Wing 

Firefighters from the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard and the South Burlington Fire Department, prepare to climb the stairs of a six-story parking garage tower to mark the highest point firefighters reached in the twin towers on 9/11, Burlington International Airport, South Burlington, Vt., Sept. 11, 2019. Carrying the U.S. and Vermont state flags, they will ascend to the top and back down 18 times, the equivalent of the 78th floor of the south tower that firefighters reached during the attacks which took the lives of 343 firefighters among the 2,977 total victims. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Campbell)

Photo by Ryan Campbell

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

Photo By Spc. Jacqueline Robinson | U.S. Service members deployed to the Horn of Africa salute during a 9/11remembrance ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 11, 2019. The ceremony honored those who lost their lives in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania 18 years ago. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jacqueline Robinson)

DJIBOUTI
09.11.2019
Story by Senior Airman Gabrielle Spalding
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
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CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - The ringing of a bell could be heard resonating over the quiet morning air at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), today, as people gathered to remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and CLDJ paid tribute to the first responders, and honored the memory of the 2,977 victims who lost their lives on this day 18 years ago, during a ceremony held under the U.S. flag, flown at half staff, here.

Though everyone felt the effects of that day, it holds special importance for service members who have fought to eliminate terrorism around the world.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Angel Rosario, operations NCOIC, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Warrior, New Jersey Army National Guard assigned to CJTF-HOA, who experienced the attacks firsthand, spoke about his experience as a Newark, New Jersey fire fighter and Army National Guard first responder during that day, and why it is important to continue to remember.

“I had a couple people come up to me today saying they were in grade school and they didn’t realize the impact at that time,” said Rosario. “You see it, it’s in history, but to actually talk and hear it from somebody who lived that time, and lost friends, and continue to deal with health issues, if you weren’t there, it’s hard to visualize or feel the impact of that day.”

During the ceremony a detail marched 2,977 steps, each one representing a life lost in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

People around the globe take time to remember the heroes who lost their lives that day, from the first responders who selflessly entered the burning towers, making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of saving others, to the brave men and women of United Airlines flight 93 whose actions saved countless lives, and those who continue to defend freedom in every corner of the globe.

“Now-a-days a lot of young people didn’t live through that day,” Rosario said. “We have young men and women coming in [to the military] who don’t know how we got here. The lives lost and the way [the U.S.] came together afterwards, and continues to come together; there’s reason we’re doing this.”

A flag detail, composed of U.S. service members, march during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 11, 2019. The detail marched 2,977 paces, each step representing a life lost in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania 18 years ago. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

U.S. Air Force Firefighter Wins 12 OAY

Photo By Senior Airman Gabrielle Spalding | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justin Starks, crew chief and firefighter, 776th Expeditionary Air Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, from the 11th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron (11th CES), Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, (right), adjusts his self-contained breathing apparatus in Djibouti, Aug. 12, 2019. Starks was named as one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gabrielle Spalding)

JACKSON, MS, UNITED STATES
09.11.2019
Story by Senior Airman Gabrielle Spalding
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
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CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti— In the history of the U.S. Air Force, only three firefighters have been chosen for this distinct honor.

Through dedication, resilience, a passion for his team and his love of fire, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justin Starks, crew chief and firefighter, was named as one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2018.

“It is an honor,” said Starks. “I thank my wife, and those over me and under me. It is a humbling experience and I’m thankful for it.”

Starks, who is currently deployed to the 776th Expeditionary Air Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, from the 11th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron (11th CES), Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, was recognized for his superior leadership, job performance, community involvement, and personal achievements.

“Justin had a very diverse awards package,” U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ashontay Owens, assistant fire chief for operations, 11th CES. “ [He] took advantage of [every] opportunity and utilized them to maximize and elevate not only himself, but also this entire department, squadron and wing.”

Setting goals for himself, learning on the job, taking classes, and studying career development courses all allowed him to further his proficiency at his job, said Starks. Giving him the experience and skills he needs to handle the many challenging situations faced as a first responder.

Applying this breadth of knowledge and devotion, Starks was able to help save the life of a U.S. Navy Sailor who was involved in a car accident. Starks cut the car open, extracted the member out of the vehicle, provided first aid, and drove the patient to a helicopter unit for a life flight to nearby hospital, Owens said.

For these actions, Starks was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal.

“I know that I can always count on Justin to place our customers at ease and improve their situation,” said Owens.

Learning the job in order to be able to help others, whether it be saving lives, or guiding future firefighters, Starks believes that he could not do it without the support of his team.

“There is nothing in this world you can’t do with out a team,” said Starks. “You can’t do it by yourself, especially in the military, especially in the fire service. There is always a team going into a burning building, saving that medical patient, saving lives, protecting property. There’s always going to be that team in place.”

This win was just as important for Starks as it was for the entire fire community, he said. Because of the tight-knit nature of the fire service, he was happy to bring it home to them.

“There are a lot of great guys with me and we wanted to bring it home,” Starks said. “A lot of people who’ve been in this field for a long time, they were happy we were able to bring it home to the civil engineer world and the fire department as a whole.”

Starks knew he wanted to join the military, but never thought about becoming a firefighter, he said. Nevertheless, as he continued learning about it, going through technical school then getting to his first duty station, his love for fire and his new brotherhood grew.

“We are like a family,” said Starks. “I wouldn't be sitting here doing an interview without my team behind me, pushing me forward. Throughout the good times and the bad times over the past couple of years, they always kept me on track and pushed me forward. Hopefully I return the same for them so they can stay motivated.”

Even through the challenges he has faced, Starks pushed forward, and remained committed to the mission, his team and his family. This dedication demonstrates why his achievements over this past year, and career, have brought him to this point.

“We know he very much deserves this award,” said Owens. “He is nothing but family, and we should take care of our family and shower them with all of the love and support they need and deserve.”


U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justin Starks, crew chief and firefighter, 776th Expeditionary Air Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, from the 11th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron (11th CES), Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, pulls a high pressure fire hose from a fire truck in Djibouti, Aug. 12, 2019. Starks was named as one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gabrielle Spalding)

Airman assists in saving drowned child

Photo By Senior Airman Rhett Isbell | (Bottom center) U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Roger Halle, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of operations, and his leadership were recently recognized for his efforts in saving the life of a child who had drowned Aug. 19, 2019, at the Chatan Town Office. Halle assisted in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the child, until the Araha Fire Department was able to arrive. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rhett Isbell)

KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JAPAN
08.22.2019
Story by Senior Airman Rhett Isbell
18th Wing Public Affairs 

For his acts of heroism, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Roger Halle, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of operations, was recognized by Masaharu Noguni, city of Chatan mayor, during a ceremony Aug. 19, 2019, at the Chatan Town Office.
Halle was recognized for his use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to save a child at a local beach.
“I would like to recognize Mr. Halle's great achievement for his quick response,” Noguni said. “Mr. Halle speedily and bravely saved a life by using his techniques from his profession.”
After the ceremony, Halle spoke about the incident and how he managed to contribute to saving the boy.
“My family and I were at Araha beach and heard some screaming coming from the other side,” Halle said. “We saw a man dragging a young boy out of the water. I went over and said, ‘I’m a firefighter how can I help’ and started assisting two off-duty lifeguards with CPR. I would do the breathing for the child every thirty chest compressions and then about ten to fifteen minutes later the Araha Fire Department showed up and took over from there.”
During the jumble of thoughts and emotions, Halle endured he was able to move confidently and swiftly to apply proper CPR methods because of the training he received for his occupation.
“As a firefighter, I’m CPR certified and that was what I used,” Halle said. “Being in the fire service and receiving that training … it’s one of those things that kicks in. I felt prepared for the incident because of it. I didn’t have to think about it, I just acted.”
Halle felt humbled from being recognized and the mayor’s acknowledgement. Feeling that most of his fellow service members would react the same as him.
“I was just thinking this is someone who needs help and I’ll do whatever I can,” Halle said. “I like to think most of us would do the exact same thing I did.”