Aircraft rescue, firefighting Marines train through fire, flames

Photo By Sgt. Alyssa N. Gunton | Marines with aircraft rescue and firefighting extinguish a fuel fire during fuel-pit fire training on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma May 31. Once a fuel-pit fire is ignited, it will continue to burn until the Marines use their skills to extinguish it by submerging it in water.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.31.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Alyssa N. Gunton 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - The typical hum of aircraft was not heard during this early morning on the flight line of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Instead it was the crackle and roar of fire as Marines with aircraft rescue and firefighting conducted fuel-pit fire training.

The Marines, assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, conduct this training monthly to sustain their firefighting skills.

“We conduct fuel-pit fire [training] at least once a month to maintain the Marines’ proficiency,” said Chief Warrant Officer Brent DeBusk, the officer in charge of ARFF, H&HS. “Each Marine needs six live-fire burn evolutions every six months.”

Once a fuel-pit fire is ignited, it will continue to burn until the Marines use their skills to extinguish it with water. The fire is controlled by the two teams of Marines fighting the fire, who use a sweeping technique to trap the fire and then submerge it with water.

“These live-fire trainings provide the ARFF Marines with confidence in their equipment,” said DeBusk. “This is especially true with fuel-pit fires, which allow them to see if they are using proper techniques when containing and extinguishing a fire.”

In addition to fuel-pit fires, another training aid used by ARFF is the mobile aircraft fire training device.

The device, which is operated by a Marine, is self-contained, runs off propane, and can only be extinguished by stopping the fuel source, according to Cpl. Norbert A. Rodriguez, an ARFF specialist with H&HS.

The specialists must continue to fight the propane-ignited fire until the operator turns off the propane source.

“In a real-life situation, Marines use foam, which puts the fire out within seconds,” said Rodriguez. “During training however, they use water to practice the proper techniques longer.”

Without proper technique, a fire can easily get out of control and engulf the Marines, according to Lance Cpl. Derrick B. Rew, an ARFF specialist with H&HS.

“The two teams fighting the fire have to constantly watch out for one another,” said Rew. “They have to work together and make sure they don’t push the fire onto the other team. Unit cohesion is crucial in our line of duty.”

This training was just one of the many events ARFF conducts throughout the month to maintain its proficiency.

“We train as if people’s lives depend on it because they do,” said Rodriguez.

• Date Taken: 05.31.2012
• Date Posted: 06.06.2012 23:57
• Story ID: 89550
• Location: OKINAWA, JP