Deployed firefighters train Kyrgyz counterparts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MANAS TRANSIT CENTER, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  Fairchild firefighters deployed with the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, conducted a capabilities demonstration with their Kyrgyz Republic counterparts Aug. 29.

The exercise was part of a continuing informational exchange program familiarizing Transit Center Airmen and their Kyrgyz Republic firefighting colleagues with one another's equipment, methods and training techniques.

The exercise involved a simulated car accident in which firefighters demonstrated procedures designed to extract a victim from an overturned vehicle.

"Events like this one are invaluable," said Chief Master Sgt. Steven Groszek, 376th ECES fire chief. "We can demonstrate each other's capabilities and build on our relationship. We work together at the airport and share the brotherhood of the fire department."

This sense of family is important and according to William Nowlin, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services chief, his Airmen may be deployed but they're still a part of his family here at Team Fairchild.

"This is their secondary family," Nowlin said. "Their job is to protect those who defend America and they exemplify those qualities by way of the Air Force core values: 'Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do.'

"Our best guys went to Manas," he added. "They're doing good things overseas just like they do while they're home at Fairchild. All of our guys have the desire to serve, ability to perform and courage to act."

Fairchild currently has more than 190 servicemembers deployed to Manas.

(Staff Sgt. Matt Benedetti from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article)