GULFPORT, Miss. — The 152nd Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Department conducted live-fire aircraft rescue and firefighting training Aug. 4, 2026, at the Combat Readiness Training Center here to maintain certifications and strengthen emergency response readiness.
The training gave firefighters hands-on experience with hose lines, nozzles, aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles and large-frame aircraft in a controlled live-fire environment.
The exercise provided Airmen with hands-on experience operating hose lines and nozzles, maneuvering around large-frame aircraft and employing aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles in a controlled live-fire environment. “Today, we’re out here at the CRTC, or Combat Readiness Training Center, in Gulfport, Mississippi, getting our annual live-fire burn for large-frame aircraft as firefighters,” said Master Sgt. Jeffrey McCusker, assistant chief of operations, assigned to the 152nd Civil Engineer Squadron.
The training is a key component of maintaining aircraft rescue firefighter certifications. Firefighters receive their initial certification during technical training and complete recurring live-fire training to maintain their proficiency and readiness.
Unlike routine training conducted at a home station, the CRTC provided the 152nd firefighters an opportunity to work around aircraft while using specialized equipment and tactics.
The live-fire scenarios use propane to replicate aircraft fire conditions, exposing firefighters to heat and fire behavior while allowing them to safely practice critical response procedures.
“Although it’s not real — it’s a propane burn — it just gets our hands on the equipment that we don’t spend a lot of time using,” McCusker said.
The training also reinforces muscle memory and teamwork, giving firefighters the opportunity to physically operate their equipment in an environment that closely resembles the challenges they could encounter during an aircraft emergency.
“It improves our emergency response capability by getting nozzles and hose lines in all of our guys’ hands, exposing us to heat, exposing us to fire and fire behavior,” McCusker said.
The 152nd CES Fire Department provides an all-hazards emergency response capability, requiring its military and civilian personnel to remain prepared for a wide range of incidents. In addition to aircraft emergencies, firefighters respond to medical emergencies, structural fires and hazardous materials incidents.
Maintaining proficiency across those mission sets directly supports the wing’s overall readiness and ability to protect personnel, aircraft and resources.
“This includes both civilian and military members,” McCusker said. “It’s an all-risk job. We can be running medical calls, fire calls, hazardous materials calls, aircraft calls — you name it.”
The Gulfport exercise allowed members of the 152nd CES Fire Department to train together while gaining experience with equipment and scenarios they do not routinely encounter at home.
For the firefighters, the training was more than a certification requirement. It was an opportunity to sharpen skills, build confidence and ensure they are prepared to respond when called upon.
“Today’s exercise shows that the men and women of the 152nd Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Department are committed to providing the best care possible and being ready for anything that comes our way,” McCusker said.