Molokai, Hawaii (Aug. 18, 2018) —U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bernard Untalan, a religious affairs non-commissioned officer assigned to the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing, responded to a state military service activation while already taking part in a military training mission to Molokai, Hawaii in support of Tropic Care Maui County 2018, a joint-service Innovative Readiness Training mission led by the Air National Guard and supported by members of the Air Force, Army, Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve.
“At the beginning of the summer, I was on a volunteer list of all people who are red-card certified to fight wildfires,” said Untalan. “I’m part of Oregon National Guard Team 3, which is a mixture of Army and Air Force. The first two teams were activated right before I left for Hawaii. I knew it might be a possibility that I’d be deployed with my team, but I didn’t think it would happen until I got back.”
That changed when the threat of wildfires worsened back home.
“On August 17, I got a call from the person in charge of Oregon’s red-card holders that I need to leave for Portland in less than 48 hours,” said Untalan. “My unit scheduled me for an earlier flight home the same day I received the call. Things move pretty quickly when you have to do something like this sort of activation.”
Back home, Untalan will join a team of fellow Guardsmen from Oregon to protect their state from the threat of wildfires.
“I’m a Type 2 wildlands firefighter,” said Untalan. “I’ll be doing all sorts of things as part of a land crew digging containment lines and doing some mop up to ensure areas are secured. I will also run hoses. It’s basically doing whatever is needed.”
Service members who also hail from the Pacific Northwest recognized Untalan’s commitment to protect his home state.
“The Pacific Northwest right now has a big wildfire threat, and states like Oregon are activating the National Guard to help combat the wildfires,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. James Healy, the first sergeant of the 194th Medical Group, 194th Wing. “Here, we have an exceptional NCO leaving Molokai early to come to the aid of his state. To me, that really epitomizes the great dual mission that the Guard, supporting federal missions as well as state missions.”
Airmen who worked alongside Untalan during Tropic Care Maui County 2018 similarly recognized Untalan’s commitment to volunteer for firefighting duty with the National Guard.
“It shows the dual nature of the Guard,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Ian Howarth, a chaplain with the 124th Fighter Wing. “One minute you could be doing federal service. The next minute, you’re getting called up for state activation.”
Untalan recognizes that the state activation will present challenges. “It’s going to be tough,” said Untalan. “It’s a real-world situation, and the conditions of the firefighting will be in an austere environment.”
Also, because of the real-world nature of the wildfire threat, there is a possibility Untalan may be on the ground for some time. “You don’t know how long you’re going to be out there,” said Untalan. “It could be anywhere from a few days to 30 days, and you can be reactivated after that.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Untalan volunteered to answer the call at home. He knows the area well, having fished and rafted there. More importantly, he knows people who are personally affected by the wildfires.
“I’ve had a few friends who have been evacuated from that area,” said Untalan. “Their homes are under threat.”
Because of that personal connection to the area, Untalan is eager to return home and fight the wildfires.
“It brings home what we’re trained to do,” said Untalan. “We’re trained to always be ready to support the mission, both federal and state, depending on what we get called on. It’s awesome to be able to support your home state.”
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lonnie Wiram contributed to this story.
| Date Taken: |
08.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: |
08.19.2018 15:39 |
| Story ID: |
289392 |
| Location: |
KAUNAKAKAI, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: |
460 |
| Downloads: |
1 |
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This work, Guardsman leaves training to join firefighting efforts in Oregon, by A1C Jonathan Padish, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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