Sailors and Marines Participate in 10th Annual Wildland Firefighting Exercise

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Curtis Spencer | 170504-N-MT581-007 CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (May 4, 2017) - A CH-53E Sea Stallion from the “Flying Tigers” of Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361 pulls water from Lake O’Neill into a 420-gallon suspended bucket during a demonstration at the 2017 Wildland Firefighting Exercise at Lake O’Neill. The Wildland Firefighting Exercise is held annually to increase emergency preparedness and cohesion between civilian and military firefighting agencies during California’s fire season. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Curtis D. Spencer/Released.)  

CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

05.04.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Curtis Spencer 

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Personnel and assets from U.S. 3rd Fleet, Navy Region Southwest, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and 3d Marine Aircraft Wing participated in the 10th annual Wildland Firefighting Exercise with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) and the San Diego Sheriff's Department, May 4.
This cohesive, interagency wildfire training exercise allows military assets to integrate with CAL Fire and local agencies by preparing personnel and equipment to combat wildfires.
“The Wildland Firefighting exercise is great, because we showcase both the capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps and our ability to integrate with our partners in the civilian world,” said Capt. Jim Cluxton, Navy emergency preparedness liaison officer for Northern California. “This is rewarding because we are training for the opportunity to help our communities.”
Two MH-60S Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3, along with one CH-53E Sea Stallion from the “Flying Tigers” of Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, one MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft from the “Knightriders” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, and one UH-1Y Venom helicopter from the “Gunfighters” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, joined various CAL FIRE assets to establish effective coordination and execution of combating wildfire outbreaks in California.
“These aircraft are not normally used in this capacity,” said George Shinrock, program manager fire and emergency services Marines Corps Installation West. “Because of events like this, when called upon the Navy and Marine Corps can assist in firefighting with well trained personnel on short notice.”
Through these annual exercises, military units train to increase their proficiency in combating wildfires. The most recent example occurred during the 2014 Cocos, Pulgas, and Basilone Complex fires, which ignited on Camp Pendleton. Twelve HSC-3 crews dropped 125,114 gallons of water to aid in extinguishing the casualty. HSC-14 and HSC-21 also provided aircraft to support the mission.
“We might not always be needed in this capacity, but as a result of this training we are ready to lend help,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Kiesel, MH-60S pilot and operations officer for Southern California Offshore Range. “We are a good insurance policy. Helicopters can get into places where other assets can’t. Sometimes they are the one and only hope to fight fires in remote locations.”
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.
For more information for Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, please visit: www.navy.mil/local/c3f/.

• Date Taken: 05.04.2017
• Date Posted: 05.04.2017 22:20
• Story ID: 232645
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US