Duke firefighters battle aircraft blaze

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.
  • 919th Special Operations Wing public affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Flames engulfed the wing and engine of the downed aircraft. Heatwaves emanated from around the rocky terrain of the crash site and its surroundings became chemically toxic. That's the situation the lucky 919th Special Operations Wing firefighters responded to at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Friday, April 13.

The horrific scene and circumstances were part of an aircraft fire exercise the 919th Civil Engineer Squadron's firefighting Airmen must complete for their annual training requirement for large frame aircraft. The exercise was managed by Hurlburt Field firefighters at their aircraft burn pit.

"Live fire is the best training," said Master Sgt. Peter Webb, assistant chief of operations for the 919th SOW firehouse. "You get the real feel of the heat and find out the limitations and constraints of the gear and your personal protective equipment."

In the first of two scenarios, the 12 Airmen, in teams of three, attacked and extinguished an engine fire while donning full chemical protection gear and fire suits. In the second scenario, the Airmen fought a fire on two fronts, then entered the aircraft to extinguish the fire inside. In these situations, temperatures can reach 500 degrees at the foot level and up to 2,000 at the standing position, according to Webb.

"In a chemical environment, we're in our J-FIRE suit - basically our fire suit on top of our chemical protection suit," said Webb. "The fire suit adds 50-75 more pounds of clothes and equipment than the standard chemical suit. The training teaches us to maneuver in all those layers and equipment and ensures we're wearing it properly."

The training also acts as a reminder of Air Force procedures for traditional reservists who fight fires for other military services or a local fire department, according to Staff Sgt. Jeremy Anderson, a two-year reservist and civilian firefighter with the Navy.

"We've constantly trained on these scenarios either at school or in our civilian jobs so it's basically muscle memory when you're in the situation," said Anderson. "You just try to watch out for your teammates and back them up. Then, sometimes (in the situation) I can only think, 'man, it's hot!'"