U.S. Air Force firefighters assigned to the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron at Osan Air Base

 

OSAN AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA

01.21.2021

Photo by Staff Sgt. Betty Chevalier 

51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs  

U.S. Air Force firefighters assigned to the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron depart a facility where they are performing live-fire training, at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2021. The facility is scheduled for demolition in direction with Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr.’s Action Orders of “Accelerate Change or Lose.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)

U.S. Air Force firefighters assigned to the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron don equipment prior to a live-fire training event at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2021. Units across Osan AB, including Security Forces, Fire Department and Explosive Ordinance Disposal, are utilizing a divested dorm building to conduct real-world training scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)

A firefighter assigned to the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron watches a fire burn in a divested dorm building during a live-fire training exercise at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2021. While this training was small and contained to a single room, the Fire Department hopes to expand the training to include the different floors, multiple rooms and simulated victims training the firefighters in a facility they normally would not have access to conduct these levels of training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)

U.S. Air Force firefighters assigned to the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron receive a pre-brief for a live-fire training at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2021. The firefighters have a unique opportunity to conduct fires in a structure scheduled for demolition. While structural fire is a regular training they conduct, the structure is usually simulated, whereas this training allows them to train on a facility similar to others across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)

NEWPORT, R.I. (Jan. 14, 2021) OTCN staff conducts advanced fire fighting training

NEWPORT, RI, UNITED STATES
01.14.2021
Photo by Darwin Lam 

Naval Service Training Command  
Senior Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate Hubbard R. Gravlee, a Recruit Division Commander (RDC) assigned to Officer Training Command Newport (OTCN), Rhode Island, ignites a cutting rod with a portable exothermic cutting unit (PECU) during the advanced fire training course, Jan 14. OTCN offers four officer training programs at Naval Station Newport, including Officer Candidate School, Officer Development School, the Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer Academy, and the Naval Science Institute. (U.S. Navy photo by Darwin Lam)

Damage Controlman 1st Class Conrado B. Rios, a technical trainer assigned to Officer Training Command Newport (OTCN), Rhode Island, provides orientation of simulated ship compartments to staff members during the advanced fire training course, Jan 14. OTCN offers four officer training programs at Naval Station Newport, including Officer Candidate School, Officer Development School, the Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer Academy, and the Naval Science Institute. (U.S. Navy photo by Darwin Lam)

177th Fighter Wing mobilizes Airmen to support D.C. National Guard

 

Courtesy Photo | Before traveling to Washington D.C. to provide security, protect National Monuments, and ensure a peaceful transfer of power, members of the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard load equipment and supplies onto a charter bus, Jan. 8, 2021, at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J. New Jersey Air and Army National Guard members then processed through the Joint Reception, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration function with Joint Task Force 44, at the New Jersey National Guard Training Center, in Sea Girt, N.J. The JRSOI included a briefing, medical examinations and an administrative records review. (U.S. Air National Guard courtesy photo by Col. Aaron M. Dunn)

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ, UNITED STATES

01.14.2021

Story by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Moseley 

177th Fighter Wing – NJ Air National Guard  

 Subscribe14

ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. (Jan. 14, 2020) - The 177th Fighter Wing has mobilized more than 60 Airmen from across the Wing on a mission to support the D.C. National Guard in the Capitol Region, providing security, protecting National Monuments, and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power.

The short-notice New Jersey National Guard movement included New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers from the 1-114th Infantry Regiment, B Troop from the 102nd Cavalry Regiment, and the 508th Military Company, as well as Airmen from the 108th Wing and the 177th FW, in support of this security mission.

“I would venture to say it was unprecedented,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Aaron Dunn, 177th Fighter Wing Mission Support Group commander. “We mobilized, from the time the Wing commander asked us for volunteers to them being immediately ready for mission requirements and enroute to D.C., in under 48 hrs., with a couple of the advanced operational node team members actually in D.C. in under 24 hrs.”

The level of the teamwork and coordination needed to accomplish the movement was magnified as the 177th FW was simultaneously preparing for an Air Expeditionary Force spin up training Green Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

“I’m so incredibly impressed with everything our enlisted noncommissioned officers in charge have been able to do,” said 2d Lt. Jennifer Love, 177th Logistics Readiness officer and interim installation deployment officer. “This is a completely unprecedented time and then you add the complexity of COVID-19, you add the complexity of another movement and in some way, they’ve been able to make all of the complexity uncomplicated and make it happen, in a matter of hours.”

Unit members completed medical requirements, had orders processed, completed just-in-time training, picked up cold and wet weather gear, as well as personal protective equipment from supply, before heading to JRSOI (Joint Reception, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration) at the New Jersey National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, N.J.

“With the NJ Army and Air National Guard combining their efforts, the process has become very smooth,” said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Fogarty, a firefighter with the 177th FW and acting Air Force liaison for Joint Task Force 44 at Sea Girt, assigned to the command and control cell. “It’s going as smoothly as it can with the obviously last-minute notifications for the civil disturbance in D.C. I was one of the first unit members assigned to a COVID-19 mission at the Joint Operations Center in March. Over the course of eight months, we’ve definitely got this process down pat at this point.”

In addition to the well-planned and executed process flow, the information flow was critical to the success of the mobilization.

“There has been a ton of direct collaboration using CVR (commercial virtual remote) Teams that has been amazing,” said Dunn. “We’ve gotten to the point where there is so much information flowing back and forth that we’ve set up separate chat rooms for the Joint Force Headquarters and the Joint Operations Center and the command and control communication has been fantastic. Lots of communication. Due to COVID, because we’ve hurried up and got it on the street, CVR has fully enabled us. It’s made it so everyone has the same information in front of them at the same time, in real time, and it has been fantastic.”

Up to 15,000 citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen from 43 states and territories are currently authorized to provide security, communications, medical evacuation and other support to civilian authorities throughout the presidential inauguration. At the request of the U.S. National Guard Bureau, and authorized by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, 500 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are deploying to Washington, D.C.

“The National Guard has a long and proud history of inauguration support. The forefathers of today’s National Guard were present for the Inauguration of George Washington, and we have been part of every inauguration since,” said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau. “We stand ready to support this national event with our interagency partners.”

One of the first 177FW unit members to volunteer and arrive in the Capitol was Senior Master Sgt. William “Skip” Ericksen, 177th Civil Engineer Squadron power production superintendent.

“This is what we signed up to do,” said Ericksen. “My family knows I’m always one hundred percent ready to go when I get the call.”

Military involvement in the Presidential Inauguration dates back to April 30, 1789, when members of the U.S. Army, local militias (the modern-day National Guard), and Revolutionary War veterans escorted George Washington to New York City -- the seat of government for his inauguration ceremony.

177th FW noncommissioned officers from supply helped equip the Airmen, Force Support Squadron personnel helped coordinate individual units’ ability to cut and process their Airmen’s orders, Security Forces Squadron conducted just-in-time arms training, the plans office choreographed logistics with all of the unit deployment managers, the 177th Medical Group coordinated health checks, and vehicle operations put in extra hours and took all of the gear and the last round of the first movements to D.C.

“I really want a lot of the junior Airmen to understand what it took to make this happen," said Love. “And how completely unexpected it was and how well it was able to be executed, with a lot of team work, a lot of coordination, and a lot of that Jersey Devil grit.”

374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department provides assistance in the case of an emergency during the initial certification test.

 

TOKYO, TOKYO, JAPAN

01.13.2021

Photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding 

374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs  

A firefighter assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department gives hand signals to the newly installed flightline BAK-12 barrier, aircraft arresting system (AAS) operators during the initial certification test at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2021. The BAK-12 system is replaced every 10 years in order to remain compliant with U.S. Air Force AAS requirements. Hand signals are given to indicate the distance the barrier cable has to go to be considered completely retrieved. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

A firefighter assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, operates the newly installed flightline BAK-12 barrier, aircraft arresting system (AAS) during the initial certification test at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2021. The BAK-12 system is replaced every 10 years in order to remain compliant with U.S. Air Force AAS requirements and ensures the new system is fully operational and safe, maintaining Yokota’s multi-capable mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

A firetruck assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department provides assistance in the case of an emergency during the initial certification test of the newly installed flightline BAK-12 barrier, aircraft arresting system (AAS) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2021. Airmen from Misawa Air Force Base and Yokota team-up in order to ensure the system is fully functional through this certification testing operation. This effort reenforces Yokota’s multi-capable presence in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

An F-16DJ Fighting Falcon assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan, catches a barrier cable during the initial certification test of the newly installed flightline BAK-12 barrier, aircraft arresting system (AAS) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2021. The AAS utilizes the arresting hooks attached to the tail of an aircraft to safely decelerate and stop the aircraft when needing to land in short distances. Ensuring the BAK-12 is fully functional through certification testing reenforces Yokota’s multi-capable presence in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

An Airman assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron checks the newly installed flightline BAK-12 barrier, aircraft arresting system (AAS) tape following the initial certification test at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2021. The test certified the stability of the system, which safely decelerates and stops an aircraft during an emergency landing or aborted takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

Firefighters assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, operate the newly installed flightline BAK-12 barrier, aircraft arresting system (AAS) during its initial certification test at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2021. The BAK-12 system is replaced every 10 years in order to remain compliant with U.S. Air Force AAS requirements, ensuring the new system was fully operational and safe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

DOD Fire Store

Fallen Airman, firefighter, Logan Young honored

Ladder trucks from the Shepherdstown Fire Department and the Martinsburg Veterans Administration Medical Center Fire Department display an American flag over the entrance to Victory Church in Winchester, Va., Jan. 7, 2021 to honor fallen 167th Airlift Wing Airman and firefighter, Senior Airman Logan Young, who died battling an off-base fire Dec. 27, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

MARTINSBURG, WV, UNITED STATES

01.13.2021

Story by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle 

167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard  

The life of Senior Airman Logan Young was celebrated during a service last Thursday evening at Victory Church in Winchester, Va.

Young, 30, a firefighter for the 167th Fire Department, was killed Dec. 27, while battling an off-base barn fire, later determined to be arson. The fire remains under investigation.

Young joined the 167th Airlift Wing in 2018 after serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force since 2011. While on active duty, he served in security forces and was stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, RAF Alconbury, England, and Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. He deployed to the Middle East in 2014.

Young, as described by his family, friends and fellow Airmen, was a jokester, an agitator, someone who loved to tease and talk smack. He was a sports nut, a die-hard Steelers fan, a shoe aficionado, and a vast encyclopedia of random facts. He enjoyed playing soccer and basketball, and riding ATV’s and his motorcycle. He loved peanut butter and chicken. He was real. He was honest, patient, passionate, and dedicated.

Logan was engaged to be married. His fiancée is pregnant with his first child and, as stated in his obituary, he was a “bonus Dad” to his fiancée’s daughter.

The night of his death he surprised his fellow shift firefighters with Christmas gifts.

“The most amazing dreadlocked Santa Claus you’ve ever seen showed up with a secret gift for the entire shift,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Frye, 167th CES firefighter. “It was Logan at his best: comfortable, happy and truly one of a kind. That night would also reveal Logan at his professional best: dedicated, reliable, hardworking, following orders and wanting to get the job done.”

Master Sgt. Chris Taylor, 167th CES fire chief, said Logan loved being a firefighter and serving his country.

“We will honor Logan by doing what he loved to do. Which means being the best fireman, Airman, and person we can be day in and day out,” Taylor said

“Logan wasn’t a hero for going to a fire,” Frye said “He was a hero for dedicating himself to being better for those around him. He was a hero for loving his family deeply.”

Young was posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.

A memorial service for with military honors is planned for the March unit training assembly at the 167th AW.

Airmen and firefighters attend the funeral service of Senior Airman Logan Young at Victory Church in Winchester, Va., Jan. 7, 2021. Young was a firefighter for the 167th Civil Engineering Squadron and was killed while battling an off-base fire on Dec. 27, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

An Airman renders a salute at the conclusion of funeral services for Senior Airman Logan Young, a firefighter for the 167th Airlift Wing, at Victory Church, Winchester, Va., Jan. 7, 2021. Young died while battling an off-base barn fire Dec. 27, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

Master Sgt. Chris Taylor renders a salute after presenting a flag to London Brown, fiancee to fallen Armen and firefighter, Senior Airman Logan Young, during funeral services at Victory Church, WInchester, Va., Jan. 7, 2021. Young died while battling an off-base barn fire Dec. 27, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)

167th Airlift Wing Chaplain, Maj. Ronald Faith, speaks during the funeral service for Senior Airman Logan Young, a firefighter for the 167th Civil Engineering Squadron, at Victory Church, Winchester, Va., Jan. 7, 2021. Young died battling an off-base barn fire on Dec. 27, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle)