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By Pvt. Darriel Swatts
California National Guard Visual Information
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- National Guard Soldiers from 11 states have deployed to Northern California to assist in firefighting efforts as Operation Lightning Strikes firefighting operations continue after lighting storms in late June sparked hundreds of fires throughout the state.
Team Dozer, one of the first responding ground elements, consisting of eight trucks and trailers, eight retrofitted bulldozers, and thirty-two Soldiers deployed to assist in firefighting efforts this morning. The team is a component of the 649th Engineer Company from Red Bluff, Calif.
"With one bulldozer I can clear about 150 men's worth of work," said Staff Sgt. Larry Enos, California National Guard.
The dozers are going to create 'fire breaks,' a protective line through an area, removing all combustible material and creating a barrier of dirt so the fire has nothing to burn and cannot continue to spread.
"It would take a lot of man hours to do what a dozer can do in a fraction of the time," said Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Spliethof, a field maintenance officer in Red Bluff.
The dozers are receiving improvements like roll cages to protect Soldiers in case the Dozer dozer should turn over in the hazardous terrain, and fire curtains to help shield the operator from the heat and flying embers caused by the fires.
"It makes me feel good. It is one of the reasons I joined the National Guard," said Staff Sgt. Larry Enos, California National Guard.. "I wanted to help my community and be a productive member of society."
It is the first time the 649th has been tasked with fighting the fires, instead of solely handling troop transportation during a natural disaster.
"With a large number of active fires currently burning, Citizen Soldiers from all over California have been called upon to provide assistance to a multi-agency fire fighting force," said Col. David Nickels, Task Force 115th commander.
Every Soldier at the Red Bluff Armory is excited to take part in the mission, said Enos.
The Soldiers set up camp in Red Bluff this weekend to prepare themselves and their equipment for upcoming missions. Soldiers are going through several steps to make themselves battle ready. They have added new safety equipment to help shield them from intense heat and possible flaming debris coming near them.
The Soldiers have also received new fire retardant uniforms to help keep them safe in hazardous situation. Soldiers are also receiving training on how to operate the dozers for firefighting missions and underwent physicals to ensure their bodies can handle the rigorous demands which will be placed upon them.
Additionally, their equipment received thorough maintenance checks. All bolts are being tightened; tires are getting repaired, rotated, or replaced; and engines are being torn apart in order to make sure every possible detail is checked.
| Date Taken: | 07.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2008 00:06 |
| Story ID: | 21279 |
| Location: | SACRAMENTO, US |
| Web Views: | 418 |
| Downloads: | 382 |
This work, Lightning Strikes, California National Guard Responds, by Darriel Swatts, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
