Putting Out the Flames at Patriot Warrior

U.S. Air Force firefighters with the 944th Civil Engineer Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz., 445th Civil Engineer Squadron, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, 932nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and the 910th Civil Engineer Squadron, Youngstown, Ohio, respond to a C-130 Hercules aircraft crash training scenario, during exercise Patriot Warrior at Young Air Assault Strip, Fort McCoy, Wis., Aug. 11, 2017. Patriot Warrior is an Air Force Reserve training exercise designed to enhance wartime skills in a deployment-style environment and evaluate the ability of units to deploy mobility airlift and agile combat support capabilities in support of joint theater operations. ( U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez )

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES
12.06.2017
Story by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez
4th Combat Camera Squadron 

The call to serve, protect and cover your buddy’s back is a common theme in the military, but one group that fully embraces that motto are firefighters within the Armed Forces. When the heat comes on at Patriot Warrior 2017, firefighters are ready to put out the flames.

Patriot Warrior is the Air Force Reserve Command's four-week premier exercise at Fort McCoy, Young Air Assault Strip, and Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin. Citizen Airmen from across the Air Force Reserve come together to sharpen their skills. It provides an opportunity for Airmen to train with joint services and is designed to test Reservists’ ability to provide combat-ready forces and operate in dynamic, contested environments.

"They put us in difficult, uncomfortable situations, but that's when we learn the most," said Senior Airman Adam Coyle, a 445th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Six different squadrons of firefighters from across the country participated in this year’s Patriot Warrior, with many of the firefighters slated to deploy overseas in the next year. Besides learning to operate in a joint environment, the airmen engaged in hands-on training, not just with other USAF firefighters, but U.S. Army as well.

In Patriot Warrior, teams battle controlled burns, attend land-navigation classes, and update their proficiency with firefighting tools while learning about the structure, systems, and challenges that occur in a variety of scenarios. They also become well acquainted with the emergency procedures of the C-130 Hercules aircraft and Army HH-60M MEDEVAC helicopter.

By far, the most memorable event is the jet fuel fire-pit training. Flames leap and contort into a massive pillar of smoke as the firefighters practice attack tactics, combating the aircraft fire with the air rescue and fire fighting vehicles using line operations. "This hands-on training would not be possible back at home station, which doesn’t have those types of capabilities or funding,” said Senior Airman Alexandrina Lopez, 445th CES firefighter.

During the exercise, they practiced automobile extrication where vehicles are set up to simulate accidents with trapped passengers. The scenario is developed to train them on practical skills as well as challenging their decision-making abilities as they apply various tactics to secure the vehicles and save the victims. Their skills are tested during a night-time low water crossing Humvee Extrication scenario where they apply their land navigation skills while using night vision goggles to rescue injured victims in a hostile environment.

The experience and skills developed in these training scenarios are invaluable. As one of the firefighters, Senior Airman Jacob Conway, 445th Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, remarked, "I joined firefighting because I think it’s the greatest job in the world. I love going to work, helping people, and doing something I always wanted to do since I was a kid."

See more photos here.

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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