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| Iraq |
| Iraqi Airmen learn to battle blazes in Kirkuk |
| 2006-07-25 |
| An already scorching day last week got a bit hotter for members of the Iraqi and U.S. Air Forces as they stepped-up to battle blazing infernos during training near the city, about 150 miles north of Baghdad. Iraqi Air Force maintenance personnel put down their wrenches and picked up fire hoses under the experienced eyes of Kirkuk Air Base's 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters. The realistic training, which included controlled fires set by members of the 506th, is designed to teach the Iraqi Airmen the skills they need to fight flames. "The majority of the Iraqi firefighters have never been to a formal fire academy and have never been part of a fire department," said Staff Sgt. Carlos Bosch, a firefighter with the 506th. Despite their lack of experience, Bosch said the Iraqis showed a real thirst for knowledge and performed exceptionally well during training at the base. The Iraqis began their training on basic fire behavior and rudimentary fire fighting procedures in April, he said. Marine Maj. Waylan Cain, an adviser for the Iraqi Air Force's Squadron 3, said the initial training included classroom basics and a lot of hands-on training with equipment such as state-of-the-art vehicles, breathers and protective clothing. Cain said training continued in June and eventually led to extinguishing live fires. The plan, he said, is to have training for the new firefighters at least once a month to keep the Iraqi Airmen and their equipment prepared. "Firefighting is a very perishable skill," he said. Cain said there have been challenges, such as the language barrier, but said none were insurmountable. "Anything can be overcome through teamwork," he said. The U.S. firefighters' goal is for the Iraqi Air Force fire department to transition to a self-sufficient force. Several of the Iraqi firefighters going through training now might be asked to transfer into firefighting full-time when the Iraqi forces take control of Kirkuk in the future, Cain said. "I wouldn't be surprised to see several of the men here, especially the best ones of the group, become firefighters when the Iraqis come in," he said. "They're going to be the ones with the experience, as well as have the knowledge of the equipment and the knowledge of the area." You must have effective damage control if you want an effective air force. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #1 Be not afraid, the spray will protect you. We are not afraid, the spray is protecting us. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-07-25 18:53 |