Exercise Exercise Exercise!

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Hayes, 886th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, prepares to put out a simulated fire during an exercise on Delta Base, Kapaun Air Station, Germany, March 25, 2010. The 886th CES firefighters conduct at least four exercises per month to ensure readiness in the event of real-world fires. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Grovert Fuentes-Contreras)(Released)

Exercise Exercise Exercise!

U.S. servicemembers simulate being killed during an exercise on Delta Base, Kapaun Air Station, Germany, March 26, 2010. The 886th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters conduct at least four exercises per month to ensure readiness in the event of real-world emergency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Grovert Fuentes-Contreras)

Exercise Exercise Exercise!

U.S. Army Spc. David Yelovich, 295th Ordinance Reserve Unit fightfighter, simulates a hostage during an exercise on Delta Base, Kapaun Air Station, Germany, March 26, 2010. The firefighters were not warned of the random gunman to ensure readiness in an event of a real-world emergency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Grovert Fuentes-Contreras)

886th firefighters exercise skills with new scenario, location

Published April 6, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Alexandria Mosness
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

KAPAUN AIR STATION, Germany -- The 886th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department recently joined with the Detachment 1, 460th Space Communications Squadron on Delta Base, a satellite communication relay site here, to conduct a joint exercise to test their reaction to a new training scenario.

Testing their knowledge and training, the exercise consisted of not only a structural fire, but also a hostage situation.

"This exercise gave us the opportunity to get practice in an abnormal situation," said Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Allen, 886th CES noncommissioned officer in charge of fire department training. "This was the first time we had done an exercise with an active shooter."

However, this did not hinder the reaction time of the firefighters.

"They reacted very well," Sergeant Allen said, adding that the team "was able to relay the information back to the commander."

In addition to the unique scenario, the exercise took the firefighters to a new training ground.

"It was a good event for us because we were able to practice skills in a location where we had never been," the NCOIC said. "We came in and met all of the objectives."

For those Airmen on Delta Base, this event built upon their already underway exercise and gave them the opportunity to hone in on their skills.

"We have been able to practice shelter-in-place and fire scenarios, and this joint training with the firefighters is the closeout of our exercise," said Airman 1st Class Barry Nixon, Det. 1 Delta Base radio frequency technician. "It was a good training opportunity, because we were able to see areas we need to improve and work on. Overall, our team did very well."

One of the other scenarios the firefighters took part in was a simulated generator fire with multiple victims inside a structure.

Even with the new additions to the exercise, the firefighters did not let this stop them from working together.

"I think the exercise went really well," said Airman 1st Class Shawn Janecek, 886th CES firefighter. "The team had pretty good hustle, and we all worked really well together. It was nice to train in a different location. We know the buildings on Ramstein really well, so getting back here on Delta Base is good familiarization for the real thing."

And while this training ended successfully, the team is already looking to the future.

"We are always training," Sergeant Allen said. "It's continuous training all the time to be prepared for every situation."