Hill Air Force Base firefighters train at Idaho’s Mountain Home AFB
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- Firefighters from Hill and Mountain Home Air Force bases joined for a training exercise in which they tested equipment configured for new fluorine-free firefighting foam. Mountain Home’s JP-8 fuel-burning fire simulator offered different challenges to Hill’s propane options.
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- Firefighters from Hill and Mountain Home Air Force bases joined for a training exercise in which they tested equipment configured for new fluorine-free firefighting foam. Mountain Home’s JP-8 fuel-burning fire simulator offered different challenges to Hill’s propane options.
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- Airman Jacob Tullis, a firefighter at Hill Air Force Base, works a hydrant during a joint training exercise at Mountain Home AFB, where firefighters tested equipment configured for new fluorine-free firefighting foam. Mountain Home’s JP-8 fuel-burning fire simulator offered different challenges to Hill’s propane options.
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- Firefighters from Hill and Mountain Home Air Force bases joined for a training exercise in which they tested equipment configured for new fluorine-free firefighting foam. Mountain Home’s JP-8 fuel-burning fire simulator offered different challenges to Hill’s propane options.
HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Training for a host of different scenarios is a hallmark of firefighting around the globe, and the situation is no different for firefighters at Hill Air Force Base.
Recently, a handful of the base’s firefighters had an opportunity to take their training on the road to Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
“Seven firefighters from Hill Air Force Base’s Fire and Emergency Services recently trekked to Idaho for a joint training exercise at Mountain Home, where they tested new equipment that was configured for a new firefighting foam known as Fluorine-Free Foam, or F3,” a press release about the training stated. “Training exercises are often done at Hill using fire simulators that burn propane, but Hill firefighters were seeking out a different experience to test the new foam’s effectiveness. A firefighting team from Hill was invited to Mountain Home, which has a training area that uses JP-8 fuel burning fires.”
In an email to the Standard-Examiner, Javie Blanco, installation fire chief at Hill Air Force Base, said the Feb. 26 training was a bit of a rarity.
“Due to the distance between bases, joint training exercises are uncommon,” he said. “While Hill AFB utilizes a large-scale propane-fueled aircraft fire trainer, Mountain Home AFB is one of the few remaining bases with a JP8 jet fuel trainer. The JP8 trainer provides a much more realistic experience. The floating fuel fires and intense heat offer invaluable training for real-world aircraft fire incidents.”
He said last months’ firefighter training included approaching a burning aircraft, extinguishing different types of fuel fires, teamwork and communication drills.
“This joint training exercise highlights the importance of interagency cooperation and provides crucial experience for firefighters tasked with responding to aircraft emergencies,” he said. “These Airmen may very well meet up in a deployed location in the future.”
According to Blanco, Hill Air Force Base Fire & Emergency hosted its own major firefighter training exercise, hosting 40 Marines and 10 British firefighters over the course of a week.
While the joint training may be a rarity, Blanco said it serves an important purpose.
“Adding to the unique value of the joint training, firefighters were able to hone their skills on aircraft types not typically found at their home bases,” he said. “When deployed, USAF fire departments often combine forces, creating a single unit with diverse specialties. For example, Hill AFB specializes in responding to incidents involving F-35s, F-22s and F-16s, while other bases may primarily operate fighter aircraft. The training exchange allowed our firefighters to practice on F-15 fighter jets at Mountain Home while Hill AFB was able to host Marines and British firefighters to train on fire rescue tactics specific to the Hill AFB aircraft.”
He said, ultimately, the additional training helps to create a more well-rounded firefighting unit.
“This cross-installation training ensures that deployed fire departments are prepared to handle a wide range of aircraft emergencies, regardless of their individual specialties,” he said.
The press release notes that Mountain Home Air Force Base will be coming to Hill for training in the near future for F-35 and wildland fire training.
