Air Force firefighters train with Japanese at ATR

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Bryan Bouchard
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
HYAKURI AIR BASE, Japan --  During the aviation training relocation at Hyakuri Air Base, there are of course pilots, maintainers and jets. But some other specialties have made the trip to the small base north of Tokyo to experience the Japan Air Self Defense Force first-hand.

Two Air Force firefighters, Tech. Sgt. Daniel Morris and Staff Sgt. Davie Hobbs from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, have spent the last week working, eating and even working out with their Japanese counterparts.

"They are very respectful and polite," Sergeant Hobbs said. "They gave us a warm welcome and treated us like one of their own since we arrived."

The two American firefighters said they learned how the Japanese respond to fires, search and rescue procedures, perform aircraft egress techniques and even learned about "jump training."

"They said the 'jump training' would only last eight minutes, but it was more like 15," Sergeant Morris said. "It was 15 minutes of straight hopping; my calves are sore."

The jump training was part of the JASDF's physical training, and was a bit different from what the two Americans were used to.

"We got laughed at quite a bit," Sergeant Hobbs added, "but it was all in good fun."

All joking aside, the two Kadena firemen are thankful and appreciative for the experience to spend a week with their new Japanese friends.

"It's been good to see how they do things," Sergeant Morris said.

Sergeant Hobbs added that the exchange is especially important being stationed in Japan. "We get to come here, share ideas, strategies and tactics. That way, it won't be as difficult to come here and immerse ourselves in the future."

The sentiment was echoed by Lt. Col. Ko Sasaki, the civil engineer squadron commander at Hyakuri.

"We want to show our current capabilities," he said through a translator. "We want them to see what Hyakuri firefighters can do and learn things from each other that can benefit both sides."