Aviation Evacuation Drills in Kuwait.

 

KUWAIT

12.16.2020

Photo by Spc. Stanford Toran 

28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade  

U.S. Soldiers with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade conducts an emergency exercise with the Udairi Landing Zone emergency medical technician team Dec. 16 2020 at an airfield in the Middle East.

Photo by Spc. Stanford Toran

Marine Officer awarded medal for providing aid to injured deputy

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Tyler King, a communication strategy and operations officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force, poses for a photo with Theodore Cavanagh, an Onslow County Sheriff's Office deputy, after an award ceremony on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23, 2020. King was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for acts of initiative and compassion towards a complete stranger. 1st Lt. King rendered first aid and coordinated emergency medical services while maintaining control of the scene which saved Deputy Cavanagh's life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cheyenne Stillion)

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

11.13.2021

Photo by Lance Cpl. Cheyenne Stillion 

II Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

10.23.2020

Courtesy Story

II Marine Expeditionary Force  

In midst of an incident, an observer might normally weigh their options before jumping to assist. For 1st Lt. Tyler C. King, the decision to help a stranger in need was an easy one.

On Nov. 6, 2019, King, a Communication Strategy and Operations Officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force, witnessed a motorcycle accident. Without hesitation, King rendered aid to the motorcyclist who turned out to be off-duty Sheriff’s Deputy T.J. Cavanagh III of Onslow County Sheriff’s Office.

One year after he was injured in the motorcycle accident, Cavanagh, attended an award ceremony for King Oct. 23, 2020, for being first on the scene to provide first aid.

“As I was putting my kids in the car, I noticed two black shapes on the ground and realized it was a motorcycle rider who had gotten into an accident,” said King, a native of Ham Lake, Minnesota. “I told my wife to take the kids home and then I rushed to help him.”

Bystanders had begun to gather at the site, but no one understood how to help when King arrived on scene. After looking over the Cavanagh, King began treatment for shock, keeping him still and calm to prevent further injury.

King directed a bystander to call 911, while he stayed with Cavanagh until emergency medical personnel reached the scene. Cavanagh was taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Hanover Regional Medical Center for higher levels of care. Since his accident, Cavanagh has recovered from his injuries and returned to full duty at OCSO.

For his actions, initiative, and compassion towards a complete stranger, King was presented the Navy and Marine Corps, Achievement Medal. “Assisting someone in need is what Marines do,” said Lt. Col. Robert Shuford, director of II MEF Communication Strategy and Operations. “This is exactly what we expect from our Marines. We are proud of 1st Lt. King’s example of selflessness and his quick decision making.”

926th Wing delivers holiday spirit to local community

926th Wing volunteers, Master Sgt. Caleb Fishell, Tech. Sgt. Jordan Gonzales and Staff Sgt. Miguel Acosta, carry toy donations into a local nonprofit, Dec. 14, in Las Vegas, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Paige Yenke)

LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES

12.15.2020

Story by Staff Sgt. Paige Yenke 

926th Wing/Public Affairs  

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --

Citizen Airmen from the 926th Wing delivered annual holiday donations Dec. 14, around Las Vegas, Nevada.

Master Sgt. Caleb Fishell, 926th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron unit training manager, along with five volunteers, made the trip Monday morning to hand off donated items.

All donations were collected from wing members during the past few months and were distributed to a local nonprofit that supports children with cancer, along with food and other supplies to a local high school to support homeless school children.

Fishell has been spearheading the movement to give back to local Las Vegas families since 2012.

“I didn’t think we would generate as many donations as we did, especially with the pandemic taking up a lot of our time, finances, and attention,” said Fishell. “So it was awesome to see the turnout.”

Angela Urquiaga, local high school homeless advocate, expressed her appreciation for the donation, saying that due to the recession they currently have 90 homeless students and have been assisting families impacted by the pandemic as well.

“In partnership with the community and others like [the 926th Wing] we can fulfill the goal to make this a very happy school year and also the holidays when they arrive,” she said.

While COVID-19 precautions changed the way Fishell and his team gathered and delivered their donations this year, they were still able to provide a successful turnout.

“This had to have been the biggest drop off since we started these annual winter drives,” said Fishell.

Fishell continues to encourage his Airmen to be a part of the process, hoping it will show them how just a little time can make a huge impact.

Officials urge Fort Knox residents to test carbon monoxide detectors in homes

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

12.15.2020

Story by Eric Pilgrim 

Fort Knox

Wintertime is almost here; time to pull those heavy coats and scarves out of storage, snuggle up next to the furnace and check those CO detectors.

Winter is the time to test, and maybe even replace, carbon monoxide alarms mounted within the home, say Fort Knox Fire Department and Knox Hills, officials.

“They’re extremely important, especially this time of year as the weather turns colder,” said Mike Patterson, assistant fire chief at Fort Knox Fire Department. “There are some extra precautions people need to take.”

Patterson said a lot of housing residences have gas-fired heaters, ovens, water heaters and furnaces, which work well but require some maintenance.

“We typically have problems with [furnaces] in the wintertime, especially with the filters,” Patterson said. “People forget to periodically have those filters cleaned.”

Patterson said the fire department works with Knox Hills to get the word out about cleaning or replacing filters and testing CO detectors in time for the colder weather.

“We had a couple of calls from it,” said Patterson, “so anytime we have a trend, we’ll put information out.”

Carbon monoxide is commonly referred to as the invisible killer. According to the National Safety Council, that’s because it “is an odorless, colorless [and tasteless] gas that often goes undetected, striking victims caught off guard or in their sleep.”

More than 400 people die in the United States from carbon monoxide poisoning every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another 20,000-plus visit an emergency room, and over 4,000 are hospitalized because of CO.

The gas is produced when fuel is burned from automobiles, generators, lanterns and fireplaces, small engines like lawn mowers, and gas appliances. The danger comes when the gas gets trapped in a confined space, although the Council warns that ventilation is not necessarily a guarantee of safety.

That’s where CO detectors come into play.

Patterson said home owners should ensure they have detectors mounted in the right places, and then test them regularly by depressing a button, usually on the front of the devices, until they respond. If a battery operated device doesn’t, the batteries should be replaced — usually twice a year when daylight saving time begins and ends — and the device retested. If it still doesn’t work, the device should be replaced.

“For most detectors, you want to replace them about every five years,” said Patterson. “Sometimes those sensors will get dirty and bad after time.”

Carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends they be installed on hallway walls adjoining sleeping areas about five feet above the floor.

Staci Burton, Communities marketing manager from Knox Hills, said Fort Knox has CO detectors in every home, but residents are responsible for testing the device monthly.

“All homes at Knox Hills are equipped with a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector,” said Burton. “These devices must not be deactivated or removed.”

Unlike with private home owners, residents on post are required to call in any defective or inoperable devices to the Knox Hills maintenance department at 502-799-6565.

The CDC recommends that home owners have the furnace, hot water heater, fireplaces and gas or coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician annually; avoid the use of portable, flameless chemical heaters inside; ensure that the fireplace damper is open before and after using the fireplace each time; and never warm up an automobile inside the garage, even with the garage door open.

Patterson warned residents and home owners to also never run a generator inside or near to the home — less than 20 feet from an opening.

“A lot of times people will lose power, and they use generators,” said Patterson. “They’ll have them too close to their windows. I’ve even heard of people using them inside their home, which is definitely not safe.”

If an alarm goes off, the Council recommends residents to move outside immediately, call emergency services, make sure every member of the family is accounted for, and stay outside until responders give the all-clear.

“Make sure you have a plan in place to safely and quickly get out of the home,” said Patterson, “then call 9-1-1 and let us do what we are trained to do.”

__________________________________________________

Editor’s Note: Fort Knox residents with more questions can visit the Knox Hills website at http://www.knoxhills.com. For more information about detectors, visit the National Safety Council website at https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/other-poisons/carbon-monoxide or the National Fire Protection Association website at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Safety-equipment/Carbon-monoxide

U.S. Marines, sailors and families gathered together to partake in a tree lighting ceremony on Camp Kinser on Dec. 11

 

Nakandakari Shigetsune (left) and Yoshito Ikehara (right), firefighters with Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire Emergency Services, dress children in fire fighting gear during the tree lighting ceremony on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11, 2020. The event allows service members and their families to enjoy the holidays away from home. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Faith Rose)

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, JAPAN
12.11.2020
Story by Lance Cpl. Faith Rose 
Marine Corps Installations Pacific  

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan - U.S. Marines, sailors and families gathered together to partake in a tree lighting ceremony on Camp Kinser on Dec. 11. The event was open to service members and their families to enjoy a traditional holiday activity less than two weeks before Christmas Day.

Col. Omar J. Randall, the Camp Kinser commanding officer, and Marine Corps Community Services hosted the tree lighting ceremony as an opportunity for service members to enjoy the holidays away from home.

“We have enforced social distancing to the best extent possible, with that we tried to find a venue that was large enough so people could spread out. Over 100 individuals came out and enjoyed the ceremony’s good food and music,” said Randall “With the weather forecast, we originally expected a very small crowd, but we were surprised and glad so many people came to the event. I think so many people showed up because they want to go out and enjoy the holidays.”

Camp Kinser Camp Guard and MCCS workers worked diligently to enforce COVID-19 mitigation procedures to create a safe, fun environment for service members and families to enjoy the holidays overseas. With the health and safety of everyone in mind, commands still encourage service members to enjoy the holiday spirit in any way they can.

This year’s Camp Kinser tree lighting ceremony included the following events: photos with Santa, a holiday float display, tree lighting ceremony, and III Marine Expeditionary Force Band holiday concert.

“I came with my wife and my two boys, Alexander and Peter,” said Capt. Ryan Malanchuk, a network director with G6 Information Technology, Marine Corps Installations Pacific “Even with social distancing and COVID-19 in place, they [MCCS] were still able to host pictures with Santa. It was great to get photos with Santa, Peter has never seen him before.”

Units across Camp Kinser came together to participate in decorating different military vehicles for a parade float decorating contest. Each unit that participated designed a float that was unique to the Marines demonstrating unit pride.

“It’s nice to see the smiles on the Marines and families faces, having the opportunity to come out and enjoy the food, get some pictures with the holiday floats, and with the Christmas tree,” said Randall.

Other tree-lighting ceremonies are being hosted throughout Okinawa as well as in Combined Armed Training Center Camp Fuji and Marine Corps Airstation Iwakuni.

For more information about MCCS events and services, visit https://www.mccsokinawa.com/ or your base’s MCCS page on Facebook.

A member of the local community, dressed in fire fighting gear, poses in a fire truck during the tree lighting ceremony on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11, 2020. The event allows service members and their families to enjoy the holidays away from home. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Faith Rose)

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