Firefights: A Different Meaning For ARFF Marines
Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines watch as a training fire builds intensity during a pit fuel fires training exercise at the burn pit at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 7, 2011. The Marines conduct this training during the day and night to better prepare them for real-life scenarios.
LCpl Cory D. Polom
Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines battle a huge blaze during a pit fuel fires training exercise at the burn pit at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 7, 2011.
LCpl Cory D. Polom
Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines push forward continuing to fight back the flames of a training fire during a pit fuel fires training exercise at the burn pit at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 7, 2011.
LCpl Cory D. Polom
An Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marine tests his hand line nozzle to check the water flow before beginning the fight with a huge blaze of flames set during a pit fuel fires training exercise at the burn pit at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 7, 2011. The Marines fought two fires that consumed more than 500 gallons fuel.
LCpl Cory D. Polom
Flames billow out of the burn pit as Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines fight to put it out during a pit fuel fires training exercise at the burn pit at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 7, 2011.
LCpl Cory D. Polom
Dec. 8, 2011
By LCpl Cory D. Polom
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — The term "firefight" has a whole different meaning to a select group of Marines here.
On Dec. 7, 2011, these warriors, members of the air station's Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting unit, engaged in their own firefight against one of the most feared enemies a military pilot can face.
It began when a Marine dumped gallons of fuel into a shallow pool of water. Once ignited the blaze of fire engulfed the pit. When given the signal, the Marines began the fight. The two-man teams moved into the pool pushing the fire back while they advanced forward until the fire was completely extinguished.
Just another hot day for air station ARFF Marines as they spent their morning fighting fires during a pit fuel fires training exercise at the ARFF burn pit aboard Cherry Point.
SSgt Justin M. Oakley, a section leader with ARFF said he understands the value of the training the overall benefits of having an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting unit.
“This training helps save the lives of Marines,” said Oakley. “It prepares the Marines of this unit to fight fuel fires and gives them the real life training needed to succeed.”
“This is the best training we can get,” said LCpl Mason P. Richard, a hand-line operator with ARFF. “In the school house we put out propane fires. Here, we are put in the direct line of a blaze. Fire has a mind of its own. If you lose your cool for one minute, someone will get hurt.”
Richard and other members of ARFF stressed the importance of the pit fire training and agreed the air station needs ARFF.
“Marines take care of Marines,” said SSgt Racheal R. Benezette, ARFF training staff noncommissioned officer in charge. “We make pilots feel comfortable. We are already at the hot zones on the airstrip. We save lives. We save aircraft.”
Oakley said the training the Marines conduct help them keep the air station and its pilots safe.
“The pit fuel fires we conduct not only help show us who needs help where, but also help us refine our tactics,” said Oakley. “Pit fires help us keep our Marines at the top of their game.”
Related Content
- Marine Firefighters Hike Honolulu Marathon For Second Year, Raise Money For Wounded Warriors (Photo Gallery)
- Marine Helicopter Operations in Korea—The Early Days (Article)
- The Rescue of "BASHER 52" (Magazine Page)
- Leatherneck's Top 10 "On Duty" Photos In 2010 (Magazine Page)
- Shot Down in North Korea: The Bill Henson Story (Article)
Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Historic Leatherneck Magazine Covers
"We've Fought In Every Clime And Place": Stamping out the Caco Insurrection in the Republic d' Haiti.
"From Dawn To Setting Sun": Marine Occupation in Defense of Shanghai, March, 1927.
"Our Flag's Unfurled To Every Breeze": Punitive Expedition against Qhallah Battoo, February, 1832.
"We Are Proud To Claim The Title Of United States Marines"
"And To Keep Our Honor Clean": The fight to the finish at Bladensburg, August, 1814.
"First To Fight For Right And Freedom": The Marine expedition in Cuba in June, 1898.
"On The Land As On The Sea": The "Bon Homme Richard" encounters the "Serapis," September 23, 1779.
"We Fight Our Country's Battles": The fall of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in 1865.
"On The Land As On The Sea": The "Bon Homme Richard" encounters the "Serapis," September 23, 1779.
"We Fight Our Country's Battles": The fall of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in 1865.
"First To Fight For Right And Freedom": The Marine expedition in Cuba in June, 1898.
“To The Shores Of Tripoli”: Storming the fortifications at Derne, Tripoli, 1805.
"From The Halls Of Montezuma": The assault on Chapultepec Castle--Mexico City, 1847
Marine patrol fired on while fording the Coco River.
“To The Shores Of Tripoli”: Storming the fortifications at Derne, Tripoli, 1805.
"From The Halls Of Montezuma": The assault on Chapultepec Castle--Mexico City, 1847
Marine patrol fired on while fording the Coco River.
January 2002: The Marines engraved another mark in the rich history of the Corps when they came from more than 400 miles offshore to establish a forward operating base south of Kandahar in the war on terrorism. The Marine CH-46 helicopter on the cover, photographed by PH1(AW/SW) Greg Messier, USN, fought in the desert sand to land and resupply Marines such as the ones (inset) photographed by Sgt Joseph R. Chenelly.
January 2001: This firefight during the Frozen Chosin Reservoir Campaign of 1950 was painted by “Chosin Few” veteran Jack Cannon, who served with Company B, 1st Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment and resides in the warmer climes of New Mexico. The cover was part of Leatherneck’s 50th anniversary salute to the Korean War veterans.
January 1992: This cover photograph of runners during Marine Corps Marathon XVI in Washington, D.C., was photographed by Sgt Deirdre Hallett.
Special Feature
Leatherneck Poll
Advertising
Recent comments
| koh tang battle, 3 marines left behind and forgotten. | 18 min 53 sec ago |
| Marine Family | 1 hour 38 min ago |
| mielno | 2 hours 2 min ago |
| Nam 68-69 | 2 hours 35 min ago |
| And a Mule just might win the Kentucky Derby | 6 hours 7 min ago |
| Hill 488 | 7 hours 28 min ago |
| I understand why people | 10 hours 2 min ago |
| Bad A song, going in on June | 10 hours 7 min ago |
Professional Marine Discussions
A location for professional communication and informal dissemination of information within the Marine artillery community.
Debate the issues in this month's magazine.
Discuss your Marine Corps and the issues it faces.
Today in USMC History
1900 - Marines landed at Taku, China, to establish Legation Guard at Peking.
Related Article: The Marines In China By LtCol C. H. Metcalf Marine Corps Gazette (Sept 1938)
Comments
Post new comment