US, NATO firefighters forge through flames

Story and photos by
Senior Airman Devin M. Rumbaugh
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
A Latvian air force firefighter extinguishes a fire during a U.S. Air Forces in Europe NATO Firefighter Partnership course on Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 10. The course enabled NATO allies to train together using NATO crash and fire procedures in a simulated environment.

Latvian and Lithuanian air forces firefighters extinguish training fires during a U.S. Air Forces in Europe NATO Firefighter Partnership course on Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 10. The five-day course taught firefighting tactics such as nozzle operations, hose advancement, forcible entry, search and rescue operations, and confined space rescue.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe Fire Academy members assigned to the 435th Construction and Training Squadron hosted a burn training during a USAFE North Atlantic Treaty Organization Firefighter Partnership course on Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 5.

“The participants did extremely well,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Justin Domingo, 435th Contingency Response Support Squadron air advisor. “Most participants are already experienced firefighters, so they generally have no issues.”

This training enhances interoperability with Latvian and Lithuanian air forces firefighters and ensures all forces are qualified, trained, and knowledgeable rescue personnel.

“This is the third firefighting training course this year that we’ve hosted,” Domingo said. “We look forward to continuing these events in order to maintain the relationships we’ve built while developing our goal of NATO interoperability.”

More than 20 NATO ally firefighters participated in the five-day course focused on crash and fire procedure familiarization, enabling partner nations to work together in any situation.

“The NATO allies are always ready for a challenge and bring a lot of motivation and energy to every situation whether it’s just a classroom discussion or hands-on training,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Germane White, 435th CTS fire rescue and contingency training instructor.

Students learned firefighting tactics such as nozzle operations, hose advancement, forcible entry, search and rescue operations, and confined space rescue.

“I feel honored to be an instructor for our NATO allies,” White said. “They bring so much to the table, and it’s monumental being able to instruct and help them with certain tactics they may not be familiar with.”

U.S. aircraft are present throughout Europe and at any given time an emergency can arise. By conducting this training, the instructors are prepping NATO allies for contingency operations and humanitarian missions.