Kadena firefighters sharpen skills during readiness exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members of the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services Flight conducted live-fire training Dec. 2 at Kadena Air Base's Silver Flag training site during Local Operational Readiness Exercise Beverly High 09-01. 

The exercise provides a unique environment for live-fire training that firefighters can use to meet annual training requirements and hone critical skills . 

"Firefighters benefit from this type of training because it allows them to practice skills they will face in real-world and wartime environments," said Staff Sgt. Deron Branch, 18th CES fire emergency services crew chief. "Fires happen frequently during deployments, so this training will better prepare firefighters for situations they may face downrange." 

During the exercise, firefighters practice direct and indirect combination attack patterns which are employed for fighting aircraft and facility fires. 

When not fighting fires, the crews stay busy responding to medical emergencies, aircraft emergencies, hazardous material incidents, natural disasters, high and low angle rescues and confined space rescues. 

"LOREs offer young Airmen and NCOs new to the career field an opportunity to learn different strategies and tactics for putting fires out and to get the hands-on training they need for deployments and at home station," said Staff Sgt. Davie Hobbs, 18th CES fire emergency services crew chief. 

18th CES Fire Station Chief Tech. Sgt. Dion Bullock said training is the cornerstone of any successful operation. He believes the realistic training firefighters undergo here keeps them on the leading edge of emergency response. 

"Firefighters need to be ready to respond to any emergency anytime, day or night," said Sergeant Branch.