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380AEW Article

Deployed Airmen get glimpse of firefighters' lives

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
  • 380th AEW Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  More than 30 Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing participated in a Firefighter Challenge here Dec. 20.

The 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Fire and Emergency Services Flight hosted the challenge, which consisted of a series of obstacles related to firefighting training and operations.

"We really wanted to give people an opportunity to have fun while learning about the physical and mental challenges associated with our job," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Ashton, 380th ECEF station chief and rescue chief. Sergeant Ashton, a Grove City, Ohio, native, oversaw the event.

The challenges included climbing two sets of stairs while carrying a fire hose; hauling a hose on a rope up to the second story of a staircase; hitting a weighted tire across a designated distance with a sledgehammer; reeling in a rolled fire hose on a 75-foot rope across pavement; hauling a water-pressurized hose over the shoulder for 100 feet; and finally, performing a fireman's carry on a 100-pound mannequin across the finish line.

"These events aren't even designed to the full extent of our actual drills or training," said Tech. Sgt. Peter Ducheny, 380th ECEF battalion chief deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "Normally, the distances are longer, the weighted props are heavier and the events are more intense. But we weren't trying to hurt anyone; we just wanted to give them a chance to experience a day in the life of a firefighter."

The individual competition was a timed event proving 2nd Lt. Sarah Rothlisberg as the top amateur female firefighter of the day with a time of 4:54. Staff Sgt. Justin VanDusen took the men's trophy with a time of 3:05. Both winners are from the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

"That was really tough, but I just pressed forward and stuck it out," Lieutenant Rothlisberg said. "It was definitely a challenge, but an enjoyable one. I'm really glad the 'fire dawgs' hosted the event. They did a terrific job."

The event provided a physical challenge for the individuals, entertainment for spectators and an education on what it takes to be a firefighter. But those were not the only goals of the 380th ECEF, according to Senior Master Sgt. Joe Walsh, 380th ECEF fire chief.

"It's important to build a team in a deployed environment. That can be tough for these Airmen since they work odd hours and are often not in sync with the rest of the base's schedule," Sergeant Walsh said. "We hope we added something good to the day, maybe built some bridges along the way and possibly opened some eyes to the challenges we face on a regular basis."