thedrifter
08-30-04, 06:40 AM
Life-saving Marines train for job they love
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 2004818192534
Story by Sgt. Jason D. Gallentine
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan — (Aug. 14, 2004) -- A crew chief on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter looks out of the cabin at the small dots that are buildings on Okinawa. He enjoys the view from several hundred feet in the air.
Suddenly, a voice crackles to life on his headset. It is the pilot, and one of their engines has caught fire.
The pilot radios ahead to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, triggers the engine’s fire extinguisher and safely lands on the flight line. There, the Marines of Crash, Fire and Rescue, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, are waiting.
The CFR crew provides fire fighting and rescue support to any aircraft aboard MCAS Futenma, both on the flight line and in the hangers. It also provides mutual support to the air station’s fire department, said Staff Sgt. Andrew J. Tator, a CFR section leader.
Tator said CFR has responded to 15 emergencies this year, the majority of which involved aircraft declaring an in-flight emergencies, such as an engine failure. He also said there has not been an aircraft crash on MCAS Futenma since the 1970s, and he attributes this to the safety of pilots and the maintenance on the aircraft.
“Our job is not very hard when the pilots and maintenance are good,” Tator said. “We do a lot of training because there are not a lot of emergency situations.”
With so few actual incidents, this realistic training ensures crews are not rusty when they’re needed most.
The unit uses aircraft from the various squadrons here to stay prepared for real-world situations. In fact, it conducted a casualty drill in a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter July 12.
When the helicopter’s fuselage and cabin filled with smoke, CFR responded to assess the situation, suppress the fire, enter the aircraft, evacuate the casualties, and provide immediate medical care.
The Marines of CFR are certified in first response, which is a step above an emergency medical technician (EMT). They can also handle operations-level hazardous materials, the second highest level, and can fight structural fires. They actually have more training in fire fighting and emergency medical situations than people give them credit for, Tator said.
The Marines with CFR conduct these drills as often as they can get an aircraft to train with, said Lance Cpl. Christopher D. Garbutt, an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with CFR.
“You have to be ready for an emergency on a moment’s notice, whether you’re asleep at night or (it’s) the middle of the day,” Garbutt said.
The most difficult part of the job is retaining and keeping up on knowledge because aircraft and procedures are constantly changing to improve safety, according to Garbutt.
“We practice everything we possibly can. The squadrons are really good about letting us train on their aircraft,” Tator said. “I think it just gives Marines more assurance knowing one of their own is there to put out the fire and rescue them if need be.”
The CFR is split into two sections. On weekdays they work 24 hours on and 24 hours off. On weekends they work 48 hours on and 48 hours off.
While their hours may be long, Tator said they all love their jobs.
“These guys love doing stuff like this,” Tator said. They love dragging mannequins around for hours in a smoky building.
Tator said CFR’s constant training ensures it is always ready to rescue fellow Marines.
“I always say, if crash crews have got to do their job, someone is having a bad day,” Tator said.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004818192849/$file/Release0400-2004-01low.jpg
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Lance Cpl. Tyler L. Thompson is carried by Lance Cpl. Christopher Dean (left) and Lance Cpl. Casey N. Fink during a casualty drill on the flight line here July 13. Thompson, Dean and Fink are aircraft rescue and firefighting specialists with Crash, Fire and Rescue, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by: Sgt. Jason D. Gallentine
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/163F2F4A6749FDC685256EF40080AF13?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 2004818192534
Story by Sgt. Jason D. Gallentine
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan — (Aug. 14, 2004) -- A crew chief on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter looks out of the cabin at the small dots that are buildings on Okinawa. He enjoys the view from several hundred feet in the air.
Suddenly, a voice crackles to life on his headset. It is the pilot, and one of their engines has caught fire.
The pilot radios ahead to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, triggers the engine’s fire extinguisher and safely lands on the flight line. There, the Marines of Crash, Fire and Rescue, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, are waiting.
The CFR crew provides fire fighting and rescue support to any aircraft aboard MCAS Futenma, both on the flight line and in the hangers. It also provides mutual support to the air station’s fire department, said Staff Sgt. Andrew J. Tator, a CFR section leader.
Tator said CFR has responded to 15 emergencies this year, the majority of which involved aircraft declaring an in-flight emergencies, such as an engine failure. He also said there has not been an aircraft crash on MCAS Futenma since the 1970s, and he attributes this to the safety of pilots and the maintenance on the aircraft.
“Our job is not very hard when the pilots and maintenance are good,” Tator said. “We do a lot of training because there are not a lot of emergency situations.”
With so few actual incidents, this realistic training ensures crews are not rusty when they’re needed most.
The unit uses aircraft from the various squadrons here to stay prepared for real-world situations. In fact, it conducted a casualty drill in a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter July 12.
When the helicopter’s fuselage and cabin filled with smoke, CFR responded to assess the situation, suppress the fire, enter the aircraft, evacuate the casualties, and provide immediate medical care.
The Marines of CFR are certified in first response, which is a step above an emergency medical technician (EMT). They can also handle operations-level hazardous materials, the second highest level, and can fight structural fires. They actually have more training in fire fighting and emergency medical situations than people give them credit for, Tator said.
The Marines with CFR conduct these drills as often as they can get an aircraft to train with, said Lance Cpl. Christopher D. Garbutt, an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with CFR.
“You have to be ready for an emergency on a moment’s notice, whether you’re asleep at night or (it’s) the middle of the day,” Garbutt said.
The most difficult part of the job is retaining and keeping up on knowledge because aircraft and procedures are constantly changing to improve safety, according to Garbutt.
“We practice everything we possibly can. The squadrons are really good about letting us train on their aircraft,” Tator said. “I think it just gives Marines more assurance knowing one of their own is there to put out the fire and rescue them if need be.”
The CFR is split into two sections. On weekdays they work 24 hours on and 24 hours off. On weekends they work 48 hours on and 48 hours off.
While their hours may be long, Tator said they all love their jobs.
“These guys love doing stuff like this,” Tator said. They love dragging mannequins around for hours in a smoky building.
Tator said CFR’s constant training ensures it is always ready to rescue fellow Marines.
“I always say, if crash crews have got to do their job, someone is having a bad day,” Tator said.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004818192849/$file/Release0400-2004-01low.jpg
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Lance Cpl. Tyler L. Thompson is carried by Lance Cpl. Christopher Dean (left) and Lance Cpl. Casey N. Fink during a casualty drill on the flight line here July 13. Thompson, Dean and Fink are aircraft rescue and firefighting specialists with Crash, Fire and Rescue, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by: Sgt. Jason D. Gallentine
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/163F2F4A6749FDC685256EF40080AF13?opendocument
Ellie