99 GCTS Airmen form fire brigade Published Aug. 16, 2010 By Caitlin Fairchild Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- In the blistering desert of southern Nevada, a single spark can escalate dramatically to an out of control wild fire in a matter of minutes. The 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron and the Creech Fire Brigade have realized this risk and have taken extra measures to prepare in case of an emergency with the creation of a new firefighting cadre. This core group of temporary firefighters, all members of the 99th GCTS, will act as a first response during the Silver Flag Alpha training exercise, held at remote site, in order to provide early defensive firefighting capability until the arrival of Creech Air Force Base firefighters. According to John Hunt, the Creech Fire Station Chief, the idea to form a firefighting cadre had been two years in the making. Last year, a fire cost the 99th GCTS three buildings and several vehicles, which helped to finalize official plans. "Fires are highly likely, given the excessive temperatures, the high wind level and the age of the buildings," Mr. Hunt said. "Training exercises at Silver Flag often involve fire power, and brush fires can develop as well. This will be a good first line of defense." The 99th GCTS purchased two all-terrain vehicles affixed with water tanks and hoses for the members of the group to use, and Creech firefighters led two seminars to train roughly 30 Airmen on basic fire control measures Aug 3-4 and 6-7. Each seminar lasted two days; the first day consisted of classroom instruction, while on the second day the Airmen gained practical experience by extinguishing small live fires and learning to drive the ATVs. "This is essentially a crash course in firefighting," Mr. Hunt said. "At no time will they go inside a burning building; the goal is that they can catch and maintain the fire before it gets out of control, so that once we arrive we can completely extinguish it." In addition to being informative, the training was fun and eye-opening as well. "The training was great," said Staff Sgt. Shleah Gay, a combat arms instructor with the 99th GCTS. "I got to look into the world of a firefighter."
