Barksdale hosts joint fire training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  More than 60 firefighters from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department and Shreveport Fire Department Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting division participated in a live burn exercise here March 22 - 23.

Every year, Shreveport ARFF firefighters need to be recertified in fighting aircraft fires. This certification is satisfied by the live aircraft burn trainings Barksdale hosts throughout the year.

"Barksdale has a mutual aid agreement with the SFD and the Shreveport Regional Airport," said Gary Caskey, Shreveport ARFF chief. "This agreement covers both parties should they need assistance in handling aircraft incident mitigation. Both entities have many items, including manpower, equipment and expertise, which compliment each other's individual assets."

During the exercise, a mock B-52H Stratofortress is set on fire allowing Shreveport firefighters to extinguish actual fires with guidance from the Barksdale firefighters.

"The mock B-52 is a generic medium to large frame aircraft trainers, used to practice firefighting tactics," said Tech. Sgt. Craig Spears, 2 CES fire assistant chief.

The mock B-52 can reach up to 2,000 degrees and gives the firefighters experience for fighting actual fires.

"This gives them the chance to apply the theory of firefighting in a practical setting," said Spears. "It's important for firefighters to feel the heat and difficulty of the operation in a controlled environment so they know what to expect during a real emergency."

The training is beneficial in many different ways, Caskey said.

"It gives ARFF crews a chance to learn from each other by working together," he said. "It also exposes the differences in our departments and how we operate."

The Shreveport ARFF firefighters have eight to 35 years of experience, Caskey added. They can share their expertise with some of the younger Airmen who only have a few years in.

Not only is this exercise important for Shreveport, but it's also integral for the Barksdale FD, said Bruce Rhein, 2 CES fire assistant chief of training.

"This event is set in the spring prior to the air show," he said. "This is done to make certain our skill sets are the sharpest prior to this event and ensure rapid integration of command elements and firefighting forces should the need occur."

One department may need to call on the other for assistance at any time, so the training allows both fire departments to be mission ready at all times.