Firefighters stay mission ready

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Firefighters from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron were evaluated during a Nuclear Surety Exercise on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 26 to ensure proper use of firefighting techniques, and the safety and protection of the equipment on B-52H Stratofortress aircraft.

The NSE was held to evaluate the wing's ability to safely handle and protect strategic assets. Firefighters undergo extensive training to ensure they can perform their job in the presence of strategic weapons.

"Our goal is to protect the items on the aircraft and all aircrew members potentially involved in the exercise," said Tech. Sgt. Kevan Moniz, 2 CES safety and compliance firefighter. "We have to be prepared, equipped and ready to react quickly to any situation we may face."

Firefighters are trained to locate and protect strategic assets before fighting a fire on a B-52H.

"Nuclear warfare takes priority. The first team is taught to bypass the fire and protect the weapons," said Moniz. "The second team takes control of the fire."

Moniz was one of four firefighters acting as an Exercise Evaluation Team member. He made sure everyone on scene followed procedures and wore the correct personal protective equipment.

"I was part of the operational support, evaluating correct doning of PPE, and I made certain one line went to the item and one went to the fire," said Moniz. "Overall, the team did well completing each task given to them."

The CES firefighters used teamwork to pass every testable area in the exercise scenario.

"We depend on each other 100 percent," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Linson, firefighter crew chief. "Without one person we can't complete the mission. It took everyone to complete the NSE successfully."