Andersen AFB ignites partnerships with Palau

Photo By Staff Sgt. Divine Cox | U.S. Air Force and Palau firefighters pose for a picture during joint aircraft fire training at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 11, 2021. The joint training included nine Palau and 14 AAFB firefighters and afforded the opportunity to help strengthen partnerships by providing aircraft familiarization, night burning, and certification training to our regional partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Divine Cox)  

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM

05.20.2021

Story by Airman Breanna Christopher Volkmar 

36th Wing

U.S. Air Force, Guam International Airport and Palau firefighters participated in a joint aircraft fire training event at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam May 11.

The purpose of the exercise was to train and certify Palauan and GIA firefighters to maintain their aircraft rescue firefighting certification to meet stringent Federal Aviation Administration and National Fire Protection Association standards.

“We had the opportunity to train eight Palauan and two GIA firefighters this go around,” said Crispin Pacificar, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, assistant fire chief. “We trained them on aircraft rescue firefighting and provided them with Department of Defense aircraft familiarization.”
During this training, the 36th CES instructors covered items such as KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft familiarization, MQ-4C Triton aircraft familiarization, munitions safety and aircraft firefighting operations.

“The Andersen Fire & Emergency Services has the only working aircraft trainer in the Marianas region,” said Stanley Torres, 36th CES, fire chief. “This training was an opportunity for us to utilize what we have here and was an awesome way for both departments to improve their regional relationships as first responders.”

Part of the mission here at 36th Wing is to strengthen regional and local partnerships, and the 36th CES instructors continue to make that happen on a monthly basis.

“This training is important because it prepares neighboring first responders to prepare them for future DoD aircraft emergencies,” said Pacificar. “Should a DoD aircraft divert and land at Palau, the Palauan firefighters will be ready.”

• Date Taken: 05.20.2021
• Date Posted: 05.20.2021 02:36
• Story ID: 396892
• Location: ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GU