Photo By Sgt. Jessica Barb | Firefighters with the Fort Indiantown Gap Fire Department train with their new...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Fort Indiantown Gap Fire and Emergency Services conducted their annual aircraft live fire training exercise here, July 23-26, 2024.
This training was unique as it was the first time they could train using a new, real-life model of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Using the model helps the trainees be prepared for real-life scenarios.
“The first part of the training consisted of roof turret operations," said Donald Wilson, chief of the Fort Indiantown Gap fire department. “Turret operations are conducted during the approach to a burning aircraft. It enables firefighters to begin cooling the airframe and extinguish fuel fires before approaching the aircraft on foot. This training provides an opportunity in a controlled environment to practice the techniques that will be needed in the event of a real-world situation involving one of the aircraft here at Fort Indiantown Gap.”
The Black Hawk model is utilized at Fort Indiantown Gap during training exercises, has three different zones and functions on propane. The three different zones are zone one, which is the cockpit area; zone two, which is the passenger area; and zone three, which is the spill pad to simulate a fueled fire on the ground. Each zone on the simulator has an emergency stop button and an independent switch. It also has a master foot switch, that controls the flow of propane. The unit is also controlled by a control pedestal, and the operator at the pedestal controls the flow of propane.
The helicopter is mobilized to move to and from any training site on post. It can be used at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility using the transport trailer with the on-board propane storage. It can also be used to simulate a helicopter down in an urban environment with higher population density. Having the ability to tow the helicopter to the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility not only benefits Fort Indiantown Gap Fire and Emergency Services, but also fire departments that provide aid to the Gap.
It also gives the trainees and current firefighters experience in extinguishing fires. It takes extensive learning and practice to know how to put out powerful fires that spread rapidly. It becomes important to be trained on the proper equipment and be able to stop the fires. Most military training and emergency landing spots for Black Hawks are in field environments. This is also a very common area for wildfires to start and continue to spread. This training helps teach the importance of acting fast and moving very efficiently to put the fires out.
“My favorite part of the job is the personnel that I work with in the Fort Indiantown Gap Fire & Emergency Services. They are an incredible group of dedicated, motivated professional firefighters. They are an asset to Fort Indiantown Gap and the community. I am proud of them and the work they do every day" Wilson said. "Besides being the busiest National Guard Training site in the country and the second busiest heliport, by being here at Fort Indiantown Gap I could continue my service to the military and the country.”
Fort Indiantown Gap is home to Muir Army Heliport, the second-busiest heliport in the U.S. Army and a base for CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopter crews. The 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade and the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site both call Muir AHP home.
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2024 16:31 |
| Story ID: | 477220 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP , PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 246 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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