178th Firefighting Team deploys to Iraq

GREENVILLE, KY, UNITED STATES
09.23.2017
Courtesy Story
Public Affairs Office, Kentucky National Guard 

The 178th Engineer Firefighting Team is made up of six Soldiers led by Staff Sgt. Matthew Stevens, who also deployed to Afghanistan with the 176th Engineer Firefighting Team in 2011. The unit is deploying in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

“Fighting fires is one of the most hazardous professions,” said the Honorable Jan Yonts, Mayor of Greenville. “It requires physical strength, stamina, extensive training, courage, and selfless concerns for the welfare of others.”

“For some of you this will be your first deployment,” said Capt. Scott Blackburn, the Company Commander of the 178th Firefighting Team. “Remember to rely on your training and leadership and know that we are back here in Kentucky waiting to get you whatever you need.”

“We are going to Qayyarah West, Iraq and our mission is an aircraft mission,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Stevens. “We will be training Iraqi soldiers as well as a fire brigade down there.”

The 178th Engineering Firefighting Team is comprised of six qualified Soldiers in positions such as Station Chief, Lead Firefighter, Fire Truck Driver, and Firefighter. They are preparing to leave for the deployment in the next few weeks.

For photos from this event, please visit https://kentuckyguard.dodlive.mil

Camp Johnson Marine awarded Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for heroic actions

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Taunja M. Menke, left, commanding officer of Ground Supply School (GSS), Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools (MCCSSS) awards 2nd Lt. Spencer Preston, right, a student attending the Ground Supply Officer Course (GSOC), GSS, MCCSSS with the the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal at Camp Johnson, N.C., Dec. 8, 2017. 2nd Lt. Preston was recognized for his quick response with immediate medical attention by providing lifesaving skills on another Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Pender)

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES
12.08.2017
Story by Lance Cpl. Nathan Reyes
Marine Corps Installations East     

2nd Lt. Spenser Preston, a Ground Supply School student, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during a ceremony aboard Camp Johnson on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Dec. 8, 2017. Preston was awarded the medal for rescuing a Marine involved in a motorcycle accident, on Nov. 29.

“I was driving home from GSS class and I was waiting behind an F-150,” said Preston. “He turned into a gas station and he didn’t see the motorcycle and he smashed into it.” Preston then exited his vehicle to assess the situation.

“The motorcyclist was ejected from the bike and landed on the pavement,” said Preston. “He was bleeding pretty bad and blood was pooling on the deck, he had broken his left leg, left femur, left tibia and fibula and his foot.”

Due to his prior training, Preston knew he had to apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

“I was in PT gear at the time and I didn’t have my tourniquet on me, so I looked around at the crowd and there was a fellow Marine to my right, and I said give me your MCMAP belt I’m going to use it as a tourniquet,” said Preston.

Preston’s quick thinking and make-shift tourniquet stopped the bleeding until emergency medical services could arrive.

“We were able to keep him out of shock and at the same time I was calling E.M.S. to let them know we had put a tourniquet on,” said Preston.

Preston received words of gratitude from the injured Marine as he was escorted away by paramedics.

“We stayed with him and on the way out he said thank you for all you’ve done,” said Preston.

The injured Marine is still currently undergoing medical care.

“He is in the hospital receiving the treatment he requires and is working towards recovery,” said Lt. Col. Taunja Menke, commanding officer, GSS, Marine Corps Combat Service Support School.

Menke presented Preston the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during the ceremony.

“I am extremely proud of 2nd Lt. Preston and his actions on November 29, 2017,” said Menke. “He used the training he received as a volunteer firefighter and a United States Marine to help a person in need.”

The lifesaving training Marines receive can be applied both in and out of combat.

“Bad things happen to people every day on and off the battlefield,” said Menke. “Receiving this training and being able to react quickly in a difficult situation is a skill that every person would benefit by having.”

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Oklahoma Air National Guard Firefighter charged in Okla. Air Force recruitment center blast.

On Wednesday, Attorney Loretta F. Radford charged 28-year-old Benjamin Don Roden of Tulsa with malicious damage to federal property by use of explosive, use of explosive to commit the federal felony and two counts of destruction of federal property. Radford stated she believes Roden's motive was "pure hatred against the military."

Roden was a decorated senior airman in the U.S. Air Force, where he worked as a firefighter at the Oklahoma Air National Guard. He received three awards for operations dealing with the global war on terrorism and a national defense service medal, according to Oklahoma Air National Guard Capt. Jennifer Proctor.

Court documents show the former airman wanted to become a U.S. Marine, but was rejected and ultimately blamed the Air Force. His last commanding officer, Sgt. Brian Curtis, said Roden "hated the military" and "received disciplinary actions for his conduct." He said he believes Roden is "smart and capable of constructing electronic devices."

A search warrant served at Roden's home, along with his parent's residence, recovered materials associated with manufacturing explosive devices and a bag that contained two pipe bombs.

"We do not believe he should be released to the community, mainly because of his ability to create pipe bombs," Radford said.

At this time, the FBI does not believe the incident was an act of domestic terrorism.

Roden is being held at Tulsa County Jail. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.

A bomb exploded at a US Air Force recruitment center in Bixby, Oklahoma