DVIDS – News – Peruvian and American firefighters train for evacuations in the event of an aircraft fire

Peruvian and U.S. Airmen engaged in joint aircraft structure fire rescue training June 3, 2024, in Lima, Peru, as part of the Resolute Sentinel relationship-building exercise 2024.

Peruvian Airmen shared their techniques and best practices for handling and extinguishing aircraft fires and rescuing stranded personnel with U.S. Airmen, who also shared their tactics. The fire rescue training was coordinated by the Combined Joint Task Force – RS24 and was intended to prepare the United States and partner nations for effective emergency response in areas with resources and firefighting options. limited treatment.

“This exercise was intended to familiarize ourselves with host nation helicopters and collaborate on how to most effectively operate with them,” said U.S. Master Sgt. Gustavo Claudio, firefighter with the 103rd Airlift Wing of the Connecticut Air National Guard. “With the assistance of the Peruvian Airmen, we established a command post and executed a three-man rescue operation with primary and secondary lines of attack. We quickly deployed the rescue truck and communicated with the Peruvian pilot regarding the shutdown procedure. The firefighters carried out the rescue and managed to recover the pilot.

The Peruvian Air Force operates different airframes than the United States, including the Mil Mi-17 and Mi-25. This aircraft variation provided American aviators with the opportunity to improve their combat interoperability.

“Back in the United States, we have a different set of helicopters,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Vanessa Schoening, a firefighter with the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing. “It's nice to learn and work with different helicopters, and explore the differences. On our Whiskeys at home we usually put out fires and enter from the left side of the plane, but here everything is reversed, so getting some hands-on training is very beneficial. Plus, our Peruvian counterparts can see how we do things, and it's really a source of information for everyone.

Airmen participating in the training role-played a fire rescue scenario and jointly walked through the steps of extinguishing a fire and evacuating trapped Airmen.

“The most important thing about this training is to demonstrate how we will perform our procedures,” Schoening said. “Even in situations where we don't have some of our preferred resources, we're still going to train and execute in a way that stays true to how we would in the United States. This is important because we not only put out fires, but we also evacuate Airmen and get them to medics. This training will potentially facilitate these emergency responses and ultimately help save lives.

The Peruvian military participating in the training were also able to gain a sense of partnership and collaboration.

“I think it was great training,” said Peruvian Air Force Lt. Col. Mandolo Poblete, CJTF-RS24 helicopter operations deputy. “We always have good intentions from American airmen, and they have the best attitude, the best approaches and the best success. Not only do they integrate with our air crews, but also with our firefighters with whom they also share their tactics, techniques and procedures. So this helps a lot in improving the expertise of firefighters.

By facilitating information sharing and improving communication with allied countries, it is hoped that the deterrent force of the United States and its allies will be strengthened.

“As we went about our day, we moved from training to relationship building,” Claudio said. “It’s a dynamic exchange where we continually support each other. There is no doubt that this will be mutually beneficial for all parties and contribute to the overall goal of building a stronger and more collaborative Allied National Force.