MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- YECHON, South Korea - While working back on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Crash Fire Rescue provides instant fire-fighting service during emergencies on the airfield.
While deployed to South Korea during Foal Eagle '03, CFR is offering the same service to the airfield, as well as service to the entire camp.
Crash Fire Rescue's extracurricular activities started when the unit arrived with the advanced party and assisted in building the base camp.
After the tents had been erected and heaters had been installed, CFR started filling and distributing two fire extinguishers per tent, a service they rarely have the opportunity to perform while in the rear at Iwakuni.
When the rest of CFR arrived, and the exercise was officially under way, the 22 Marines from CFR provided the camp with a fully functioning fire-fighting unit.
"Since there is no fire department at the sites we are using, we have to provide fire protection for the tents as well as the airfield," said Lance Cpl. K.J. Rodgers, firefighter with CFR. "This kind of responsibility is something we don't have at home in Iwakuni, since the Station employs its own fire department."
Although the responsibility may be new to some of the fire fighters with CFR, it is nothing that they cannot handle while deployed, according to Gunnery Sgt. Vu Tran, CFR Foal Eagle staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
"During Foal Eagle '03 we are providing fire prevention and protection for the entire camp," said Tran. "I am confident that these Marines know what to do and how to handle every situation out here or on any deployment."
Along with providing the camp with fire support for every situation, CFR is also assisting in eliminating foreign objects and debris on the flight line.
"Since it is so muddy out here, the trucks going on the flight line can get inches of mud caked into their tires, creating FOD on the air field," said Rodgers. "To help eliminate that, we have a P-19 parked next to the flight line to spray off the tires, wheel wells and any other area of build up to keep it off the flight line."
Since there are two heaters and fire extinguishers per tent, CFR is also providing the camp with a nightly patrol to ensure safe usage.
"We walk through each tent every night to make sure the heaters are not being abused and our extinguishers are not being tampered with," noted Rodgers.
Despite the harsh conditions South Korea imposes, the Marines are still getting satisfaction out of the work and services they are offering the camp, according to Rodgers.
"Although it is cold and can get quite miserable when you are knee-deep in mud, it is satisfying to know that we have a huge mission out here that extends past our mission at Iwakuni, and we are performing that day to day," added Rodgers.