RAF Mildenhall firefighters train-to-fight while deployed

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. April Lapetoda
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  A blaring alarm broadcasts over the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire station's radios. The dispatcher briefs responders to respond to a fire in the boom pod of a KC-10 Extender located on the flightline here.

The firefighters quickly don their protective clothing, jump into the crash, tender, and rescue trucks, and race out to the scene. Accompanied by a 380th Expeditionary Medical Group medical team, firefighters arrive on the scene within minutes. Firefighters douse the scene with water, offload hoses and board the aircraft to begin rescue operations.

The firefighters' reactions Dec. 10, 2013, were not in response to a true crisis, but rather to a training scenario.

"Our training never ends," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Ramirez, 380th ECES Fire Department assistant chief of training. "The moment that we stop training (is) when our proficiency goes down. We have to be always ready, 100 percent of the time --  no matter what the situation."

During response to the training scenario, firefighters shut down the aircraft, performed rescue operations, located two training dummies that simulated injured people, and transported them to the 380th EMDG medical technicians, who were standing by in a safe location.

Medical technicians assisted the firefighters by triaging the training dummies, then the firefighters made sure the aircraft was fire-safe, to prevent any further damage to the aircraft.

Firefighters deployed here train daily, said Ramirez, deployed here from RAF Mildenhall, England, and originally from Honolulu, Hawaii.

"We train to always be ready," he said. "Any time there's a call, we must be out there prepared, willing to serve and do our part."

Daily training affords newer Airmen opportunities they may not receive at home station.

"Being in a deployed location allows our firefighters to experience different operations they may not be exposed to at home station," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Waldrip, 380th ECES Fire Department assistant chief of operations. "Additionally, they get the chance to work with the host nation fire service, which allows them to see not only different tactics and equipment, but also to see a different culture.

"(Our Airmen) get to see several different types of airframes, along with a very diverse mission. The close proximity of air operations, along with the support functions, allows (them) to see and understand the amazing amount of coordination and work that goes into meeting mission requirements," Waldrip said. "Also, the dedication each firefighter has, and the pride they show, is evident after every emergency call we respond to  -- we are proud to be part of such an important mission and for being able to support our fellow Airmen however we can."

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jared Weeks, who served as the incident commander for the training scenario, gained an increased understanding of his future leadership role. During the training, he provided all guidance and direction to those performing rescue operations.

"(The training) showed me what it's like to actually run a crew, be in charge of others and supervise in an emergency," said Weeks, who is deployed here from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

The training performed by the firefighters is absolutely crucial for them to successfully fulfil their mission requirements, explained Waldrip, from Tuscola, Texas.

"The sheer diversity of operations and number of personnel we protect requires that our firefighters are always performing at the highest possible level," he said. "Life safety is our number one response priority, and we simply don't get the luxury of making mistakes when another Airman's life is in our hands. Additionally, because we provide various services covering everything from aircraft rescue and firefighting, medical emergencies, structural firefighting, to confined space rescue, we must constantly train to maintain the proficiency of our skillsets."

The training also helps to mentally prepare firefighters.

"Our training prepares us mentally because (the trainers) are always throwing curve balls and things that we don't expect; therefore, making us think on our feet -- to be ready for anything," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Adam Hunt, a driver-operator assigned to the 380th ECES.

After the scenario, Weeks led an open discussion with the firefighters and medical technicians, who were involved in the training scenario. They discussed what they did right and what could be improved upon in the future.

"This training helped me so next time when I go into it, I remember what I did wrong last time and do better," said Weeks, who is originally from Valdosta, Ga.

The measurement of success may not always be measured right away.

"What I hope they gain from this exercise is just to save that one life," said Ramirez. "If we save one, prevent one from being hurt, injured or killed ... That's the reason why we do this."

Waldrip echoed Ramirez's mindset.

"Our number one job is to provide emergency response services; if we're not responding, then we're training. If we aren't training, then we're doing something wrong. Although we have many additional duties and details throughout the day, training remains our No. 1 non-emergency response priority," Waldrip said.