ROTAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE TINDAL, Australia -- Iwakuni aircraft rescue firefighters coordinated with No. 322 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron firefighters to set controlled fires in the fields here during exercise Southern Frontier, Sept. 9.
The purpose of the training was to conduct integrated operations between forces and reduce foliage to prevent wildfires on base.
“If we don’t go set the fires the way we want it to go, it might start a fire somewhere else out of control,” said Staff Sgt. Dexter Williford, aircraft rescue firefighter.
According to Aircraftman Leigh Weston, firefighter with No. 322 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, the firefighters with the RAAF regularly set hazard reduction fires in the fields to ensure the safety of the base and the structures on it.
“It eliminates the risk of having a grass fire,” said Weston. “It’s a bit of training for us as well. We also have a lot of ordnance around the base so if fires get set off by themselves, it can be bad for everyone.”
According to Williford, wildfire training is unique to the type of training the Marines are used to conducting on base.
“Because we are out here in the middle of nowhere, these firefighters get a lot of training with wildfire,” said Williford. “In Iwakuni, we don’t have the ability to do this type of training. It’s very fortunate we came here during this time of year.”
What is unique about the firefighters of RAAF Tindal is they not only do crash fire rescue but structural firefighting as well.
“We have two main roles,” said Weston. “Our first role is to support the aircraft and the base. We also do structural firefighting, which is our second role.”
The RAAF firefighters also worked closely with ARFF to provide structural firefighting training.
“Our guys have been right there showing them how to do it,” said Weston. “The Marines might have different tactics, but firefighting is ultimately the same. It’s good to come together and share ideas.”
According to Weston, structural firefighting is unlike aircraft firefighting, and knowing the difference is key to the safety of the Marines.
“In structural firefighting, the techniques are different inside from outside,” said Williford. “The chemicals we would come in contact with are different. In structural firefighting, Marines would go through buildings they might not know the layout of. With aircraft firefighting, we know the aircraft well enough to get out there and do the job.”
During exercise Southern Frontier, a significant thing the ARFF Marines and Australian firefighters agreed on was the camaraderie shared between the two forces is strong.
“The good thing about this training for us is it lets these guys know firefighters are the same no matter where you go,” said Williford. “These firefighters have been really good to us, integrated with us and let us be a part of their day. We come in here, we joke with each other and we back each other up. There has been good cooperation all around.”
During Southern Frontier, ARFF and RAAF firefighters have worked together to make sure both forces get the most out of the training and deployment.