"Bandit" Recovery Team Fights Fire with Foam

Courtesy Photo | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (Nov. 18) - Sgt. Scott Schleher and Pfc. Randall Wach, both of Company B, 299th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, operate a fire hose during firefighting training. The unit's recovery section is responsible for providing emergency response to units on patrol in western Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Sgt. Eddie Harris, Co. B, 299th FSB, 2nd BCT, 1st Inf. Div.)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.18.2006

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 2nd BCT, 1st Inf. Div.
Public Affairs staff

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (Nov. 18, 2006) - Most of us remember fire drills from our school years. But Soldiers from Company B, 299th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, gave "fire drill" new meaning here.

Under the early morning sun, the troops conducted their first "live fire" drill, repeatedly igniting and extinguishing an unserviceable humvee.

The "Bandits" from Company B, need this drill because one of their missions is to provide emergency recovery to units attacked while on patrol. The ability to quickly extinguish burning vehicles reduces the amount of time Soldiers spend on the side of the road with damaged vehicles.

Professional firefighters from Camp Liberty Fire and Rescue provided instruction and oversaw the safety of the training. The recovery fire truck used in the operation generates fire-retardant foam that smothers flames, especially from fuel fires, more effectively than water.

Each Bandit firefighting team consisted of five Soldiers, two working the pumps and two handling the hose, with a senior member overseeing the operation. Every member of the Bandit recovery section manned both hose and pump during the training. According to Staff Sgt. Carlos Sanhueza, of Harker Heights, Texas, "It was great to actually have something on fire, instead of just going through the motions," said Staff Sgt. Carlos Sanhueza, a native of Harker Heights, Texas.

He said his recovery team will conduct additional training sessions for several more weeks, then practice with real flames, again, during their next live drill.

• Date Taken: 11.18.2006
• Date Posted: 11.21.2006 15:36
• Story ID: 8352
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ