Photo By Airman 1st Class Francisco Huerta | U.S. Air Force 18th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, prepare to hose a simulated...... read more read more
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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force 18th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighters strengthened their readiness during an aircraft response training as part of a USAF-led operational exercise Beverly Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 10, 2026.
The training placed responders in a simulated aircraft incident, requiring crews to rapidly assess the situation, deploy firefighting equipment and execute rescue procedures while ensuring the safety of responders and aircrew.
“Exercises like this force firefighters to fully execute the job instead of just talking about it,” said U.S. Air Force MSgt. Bryan Schroeder, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department health and safety officer. “There’s a big difference between talking through a scenario on a PowerPoint and getting out there and executing it in real time.”
Aircraft emergency responses require specialized equipment and extensive training to manage different instances such as fire, smoke and potential aircraft damage. Firefighters rely on protective gear and tools designed to safely suppress fires, access damaged aircraft and assist personnel involved in the incident.
“In a real-world emergency, fear can set in quickly, but when you’ve practiced enough, your training takes over and helps you focus on the job,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Carroll, 18th CES FD driver/operator. “Repetitive training helps firefighters build the muscle memory needed to operate effectively in high-pressure situations.”
While firefighters are trained to respond quickly and decisively, aircraft incident response requires close coordination among multiple teams and agencies.
“One of the biggest challenges is coordinating events this large,” Schroeder said. “When you arrive on scene, everyone can have their own idea of what needs to happen, so getting everyone moving in the same direction is essential.”
Through exercises like BM26, Kadena firefighters continue to refine their response capabilities and interoperability by developing shared tactics, techniques and procedures to better integrate defense capabilities in support of regional security across the Indo-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 03.10.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2026 21:09 |
| Story ID: | 560201 |
| Location: | KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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