New equipment and training helps KAW fire department flourish

Afghan Air Force fire fighters prepare to enter a burning building as part of an exercise Sept. 8, 2013 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. During 2013, advisors with NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan, have begun to step away from training as the Afghans themselves begin to take over both training and operations of the fire department. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

New equipment and training helps KAW fire department flourish

Afghan Air Force fire fighters rush into a burning building as part of an exercise Sept. 8, 2013 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The Kandahar Air Wing Fire Department has seen substantial changes and improvements in recent months as the Afghans continue to take over more of the training and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

New equipment and training helps KAW fire department flourish

Afghan Air Force fire fighters practice rescuing a dummy from a burning building during an exercise Sept. 8, 2013 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. During 2013, advisors with NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan, have begun to step away from training as the Afghans themselves begin to take over both training and operations of the fire department. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

New equipment and training helps KAW fire department flourish

Afghan Air Force fire fighters at the Kandahar Air Wing in Kandahar, Afghanistan have seen substantial changes and improvements in recent months as the Afghans continue to take over more of the training and operations. Advisors with NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan have begun to step away from training as the Afghans prepare to take over. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

New equipment and training helps Kandahar fire department flourish

Published Sept. 19, 2013
By Capt. Anastasia Wasem
NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan public affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- At a time when all aspects of the Afghan Air Force are continuing to grow and flourish, the Kandahar Air Wing Fire Department is no different. During 2013, advisors with NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan, have begun to step away from training as the Afghans themselves begin to take over both training and operations.

The fire fighting team at the KAW recently completed the first-ever self-led and evaluated fire rescue training exercise on a Mi-17 helicopter Sept. 16. The all-Afghan team controlled the scene in its entirety, from the initial call through the salvage and overhaul if the helicopter.

"With the training we have received from the advisors, we are now able to protect every part of the airfield ourselves," stated Maj. Mohammad Noor, Kandahar Air Wing chief firefighter. "We have the ability to reach the fire and put it out. We're always ready."

With the recent assignment of a new Afghan training manager to the KAW fire department, the NATC-A advisors have been working to increase self-training instead of conducting the training themselves; an endeavor that has succeeded.

"Every quarter we have been slowing backing out of training," said Jonathan Whittaker, 443rd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander. "During this most recent quarter, it was actually the training manager and fire chief that chose and have begun implementing the training for the entire quarter. They decided what was most important for the department and what they wanted to focus on."

Besides the addition of a new training manager, there are several other changes over the past six months that have helped lead to the current success of the department. With the help of NATC-A advisors the fire department now has an on-sight training facility. This includes a structural trainer made of metal shipping containers and a totaled car; both of which are used not only to train in fire extinguishment, but also rescue training for potential victims.

One of the department's most recent successes included putting out a fire for the Afghan National Army 205th Corps after a rocket attack on Kandahar Airfield.

"We're now seeing Afghan to Afghan communication, without advisor support," said Tech. Sgt. Mario Gonzalez, 738 AEAG fire advisor, about the attack. "These guys are recognized in the area for being the expert firefighters and everyone calls them when they need fire support."

The KAW fire department not only responses to incidents on base, but off base as well within the community.

"The safety of our people is our number one priority," said Azamduian, who is the longest serving firefighter at the KAW. "It's a very difficult job, but we love it."