13 years in the making: Altus AFB opens new headquarters fire station

 

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, OK, UNITED STATES

12.01.2023

Story by Airman 1st Class Karalyn Degraffenreed 

97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs  

 The 97th Civil Engineer Squadron celebrated a significant milestone with the grand opening of the Altus Air Force Base Headquarters Fire Station on Dec. 1, 2023.

The station cost more than 21 million dollars and culminates 13 years of work from nine different commanders at the 97th Air Mobility Wing and several organizations from the base and surrounding community.

It will provide aircraft crash rescue and firefighting services, as well as firefighting equipment, a fire alarm system, and an emergency communications sensor center. It also has five vehicle bays, which holds the capabilities of ten firefighting vehicles to respond to emergencies, while keeping them out of outdoor weather hazards.

“The new facility is more energy efficient and will decrease maintenance and utility costs for the base,” Staff Sgt. Peyton Terry, 97th CES fire specialist explained. “It secures the health and well-being of Altus AFB personnel and the local community for now and long into the future.”

Col. Jeff Marshall, 97th AMW commander, commemorated the opening of the fire rescue center by twisting off a fire hose after giving a speech to reflect on how the partnership between the base and the community contributed to officially opening the doors of the new firehouse.

“The teamwork we have here is one of a kind,” Marshall said. “Projects like this are not easy to do. It took tons of work by our dedicated civil engineer and contracting teams, the Army Corps of Engineers, and great support from local partners. That’s what makes us Mobility’s Hometown.”

148th Fire Protection Specialists practice rapid intervention team skills

 

DULUTH, MN, UNITED STATES

12.01.2023

Photo by Airman 1st Class Addie Peterson 

148th Fighter Wing Public Affairs  

Fire Protection Specialists assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, practiced their skills as a rapid intervention team (RIT) by going through an obstacle course designed to simulate zero-visibility rescue scenarios on Dec. 1, 2023. Team members wore 60-70 pounds of equipment to efficiently administer a buddy breather to a simulated downed firefighter in need of oxygen. The RIT training is intended to prepare the team for a potential emergency such as a roof collapse or structure fire. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Addie Peterson)

Black Hawk pilot eyes unique trade after flying career

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – As two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters approached to rescue his battle buddies, then-Sgt. 1st Class Rick Dean was impressed by how closely they circled above before landing together in a tight space.

Dean had only set up the landing zone for one helicopter, not aware that a pair of them would arrive to medically evacuate two of his friends from a dangerous area near Baghdad.

But then they both touched down without hesitation.


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174th Attack Wing Fire Department named best in the Air National Guard

Story by Alexander Rector December 04, 2023 at 02:59PM The Hancock Field Air National Guard Base Fire Department was named the Chief Greg O. Winjum Fire Department of the Year for 2022 by the Air National Guard Fire Chief’s Association.

Remains Found of 5 More Air Force Crew Members Recovered After Osprey Crash Off Japan Coast

Dive teams located the missing crew as well as the main fuselage of the aircraft, which went down in the ocean during training, according to a Monday statement from Air Force Special Operations Command.


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