Combined exercise tests interoperability between coalition partners

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chance Babin
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Firefighters from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing completed a training scenario with the French and host nation firefighters here July 25 to test their interoperability.

The exercise helped break through communication barriers and foster relations between the firefighters.

"The purpose for this drill was to assess the coordination and work relationship between three fire departments from three countries that have no experience together on a fire scene," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Thompson, the A-shift assistant chief of operations for the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. "At a deployed location like this, with a flightline full of large-frame aircraft with extremely large fuel capacities, our biggest enemy is running out of agent (water or foam).

"It is absolutely imperative that we communicate with our international brethren to ensure that, whether we need their assistance or they need ours, there are no questions when it comes to our compatibility on the emergency scene," he said. 

The exercise scenario simulated a ground emergency on an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System from a fire that originated from the auxiliary power unit, an exercise official said. U.S. and French rescue crews entered the aircraft to get all the victims out of the plane, while exterior fire crews, consisting of U.S. and host nation firefighters, worked to put out the fire and ensure other parts of the aircraft were clear of people.

Eight AWACs crew members volunteered to act as the victims during the exercise, the official said.

"Considering this was the first joint exercise this particular group of firefighters conducted together, I think it went extremely well," Thompson said. "The camaraderie between all of the people participating today was great. Everybody that participated seemed excited to have the opportunity to work together."

The French firemen saw the value in the combined training as well.

"It's a very good experience," said French Tech. Sgt. Fabrice Cardenau, a firefighter for the French air force. "It's good planning to be ready when needed."

The combined team bridged communication gaps with the help of Omar Ezzaidi, a cultural adviser and translator for the 380th AEW.

"Only a few of the firefighters from both the French and (host nation) departments speak English," Thompson said. "Thanks to the efforts of our translator, Omar, we were able to establish a clear picture of what was expected from each crew. By the time the exercise was underway, everybody knew exactly what was expected of them and executed their tasks with precision."

For Ezzaidi it was a chance to use his repertoire of languages all in one event.

"It was a very interesting experience to translate the English briefing to the Arabic and French fire teams at the same time, because I'm used to translating only from English to one target language," Ezzaidi said. "I was able to communicate and deliver our exercise brief easily from and to the three languages. These types of joint exercises are good for the mission, because it builds bridges of cooperation and understanding between the U.S., the host nation and the French fire teams."

For Thompson, knowing the 380th AEW has capable fire department support available is comforting.

"The most important lesson that we learned today was that regardless of the situation, we have backup," Thompson said. "If we need more manpower, equipment or agent, it takes only a phone call and reinforcements are on the way."