USS Dewey (DDG 105) Conducts Aircraft Firefighting Drill While Operating in the Philippine Sea

PHILIPPINE SEA 09.12.2023 Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory Johnson Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron 15 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 13, 2023) – Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) participate in an aircraft firefighting drill on the flight deck while operating in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 13. Dewey is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
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HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NM, UNITED STATES 09.12.2023 Photo by Airman 1st Class Isaiah Pedrazzini 49th Wing Public Affairs U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Glover, 49th Component Maintenance Squadron fuels composite tools kit NCO officer in charge, middle, and U.S. Air Force David Sterling, 49th CMS F-16 fuels craftsman, right, are decontaminated during a hazmat response exercise at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Sept. 12, 2023. Hydrazine, known for its volatile and toxic nature, serves as the chosen agent for this exercise, highlighting the importance of understanding and mitigating chemical hazards that come with handling the chemical. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaiah Pedrazzini)

Alaska Firefighters, deployed to Clear Space Force Station

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES 09.13.2023 Story by Senior Airman Julia Lebens JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Firefighters from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, deployed to Clear Space Force Station to protect the installation and local town of Anderson from active wildfires. The Anderson Complex was established July 29, 2023, in order to manage multiple fires near the city of Anderson as well as Clear Space Force Station. Firefighters from the JBER Fire and Emergency Services Flight, the JBER Wildland Support Module, and the 176th Air National Guard, worked to create a barrier protecting the town and installation from fires. Additionally, firefighters worked to fight fires started by lightning and sparks spread by gusts of wind that threatened vital infrastructure along the Parks Highway such as the Alaska Railroad and high-voltage electrical transmission lines connecting a major power generation facility in Healey to the city of Fairbanks. “It was important that we were there because we were able to fortify the areas around Clear SFS and Anderson from current and future wild-land fires,” said Senior Airman Brett Moore, a driver and operator assigned to JBER Fire and Emergency Services, 673d Civil Engineer Squadron. “The fuel breaks we created can be maintained and added onto in the future to protect the area for years to come.” Aided by the Kenai Fire Department, McKinley Fire Department, and the Anderson Volunteer Fire Department, JBER firefighters created a barrier around Anderson and improved barriers around Clear SFS. “Wildland firefighting in Alaska is a partnership with the local community,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Jeremy Oldham, the 673d Civil Engineer Group commander. “This year has been especially demanding on firefighting personnel and resources throughout the country, and JBER firefighters stepped up to protect the people and mission at Clear SFS as well as the surrounding community.” In addition to partnering with the local community to provide protection for military assets and Alaska residents, many JBER firefighters had little experience fighting wildfires and refined their craft in order to continue their important work. “They demonstrated service before self by placing themselves in harm’s way and sacrificing time away from loved ones to protect lives and resources,” said Oldham. “I am proud of them.”

Meyers Against Fires

CUMBERLAND , NC, UNITED STATES 09.14.2023 Story by MarQuan Stith Navy Recruiting District Raleigh The Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment aren’t something that you live by when in uniform, you are to live by them every second of everyday. Steelworker 2nd class (SW2) Kyle Meyers is the living definition of that as he is a Navy Recruiter by day and Volunteer Firefighter by night. On October 27, 2022, around 9:30pm, SW2 Meyers and his crew were one of the first to arrive on scene to the burning house in Cumberland County on Blake Road. When they arrived on scene, they were notified that there was a mother and two children stuck in the house and that there was no way for them to get out without the assistance of the firefighters. Without hesitation SW2 Meyers jumped out of his truck, grabbed his equipment, and darted toward the house to begin the rescue mission. The crews on scene begin to make their way into the house and break windows on the outside to ventilate the house and bring down the temperature to buy those who were stuck inside some time. Due to his quick and courageous actions he and his crew was able to save all three residences of the home in less than five minutes. “Due to my basic firefighting training at boot camp for the Navy and the night Firefighting Academy that I attended at the local community college, I was ready for this situation, said SW2 Meyers. “I joined the Navy to serve my country and I joined the Fire Department to serve the community that I live in and being able to make a difference in someone’s life is fulfilling. I didn’t do this for the accolades or the awards”. On September 12, 2023, SW2 Kyle Meyers and the Cumberland Fire Department received the Lifesaving Firefighter and Unit Citation Award for their heroic actions on the night of October 27, 2022. SW2 Meyers is originally from Benson, North Carolina and is now a part of the Cumberland, North Carolina community. He has been in the Navy for more than 10 years and has been a part of the volunteer fire department for more than two years.

30 recruits graduate from Federal Fire Department Hawaii

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, UNITED STATES 09.14.2023 Story by Anna Marie G. Gonzales Commander Navy Region Hawaii The Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) Federal Fire Department (FFD) celebrated the accomplishments of 30 firefighter recruits during a graduation ceremony held at the Hickam Tradewinds ballroom on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 8. The recruits successfully completed 26 weeks of extensive and vigorous drill training in fire response and emergency medical services from March through September at the Hickam Fire Training Facility. “For the past 26 weeks, these recruits have completed a rigorous training regimen to bring them to where they are today,” said Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, commander, Navy Region Hawaii, during his opening remarks. “This is a celebration of the commitment and dedication that firefighter recruits have made, and of the great things we can expect from them in the future,” said Barnett. “Today, as we graduate 26 federal firefighters and four state airports division firefighters, we celebrate the accomplishments of these 30 recruits.” As recruits transition to firefighters, Gregg Moriguchi, regional fire chief for CNRH FFD, shared some advice to the graduating class. “Members of the firefighter recruit class will no longer be referred to as recruits, they will be known as firefighters,” said Moriguchi. “Firefighters who choose to dedicate their lives to public service, stand ready to face uncertainty on every call for help and to be the first on scene. These are firefighters who come to the aid of those in need.” “You must always be prepared to respond and act with courage, professionalism, dignity, and respect no matter what the circumstances may be,” he added. “Your training has prepared you for that and I congratulate you on reaching this milestone.” Micah Ohlen, one of the recruits, shared his personal journey as a recruit class leader and delivered a message to his fellow graduating class. “We’ve learned the importance of knowing our tools and knowing the job well,” said Ohlen. “Everything that we have learned can be put down into one basic principle - work hard and don’t give up. It is our responsibility to be prepared for an emergency no matter what day it is, no matter the holiday or special occasion.” “As a class we found pride in our ability to come together as one and have proven ourselves every day,” Ohlen added. “Throughout this journey, I have seen a transformation in my classmates, and I consider our class a family now.” Each of these new firefighters will be reporting for duty at one of 13 fire stations located on military installations across Oahu. The new graduates of recruit class 2023 are as follows: • Frank Abreu (State) • Kameron Aceret • Jonathan Akaka • Kalakekoa Carnate-Albert • Francis Aurellano • Kahai Bustillos (State) • Bree Chang • Tyson Creekmur • Noah Feato • Colin Ferguson • Kaipo Hayashida • Henry Kahula • Elijah Kainoa • Tex Kang • Justin Kanoho (State) • Noah Leong • Michael NacNac • Jensine Nahoopii • Kevin Nguyen • Micah Ohlen • Brian Polzien • Kiai Thomas Ramos • Jacob Romero (State) • Keanu Rosales • Laura Ruszecki • Jarett Takahashi • Eric Watanabe • Elias Wong • Tanner Wright