USAF, ROKAF, Gunsan City first responders train to support local airport

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Members of the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department participated in Gunsan airport's G-20 summit on terrorism and civil aviation air incident training at the airport Sept. 17.

According to airport officials, the exercise tested the "cooperative and emergency response systems" of the airport, including the 8th CES fire department, on their counter-terrorism operations, fire suppression and rescue, evacuation and treatment of injured and more.

The annual training also included agencies from the Gunsan Airport Security Measures Association, the Republic of Korea Air Force's 38th Fighter Group, ROKAF special forces, the Army's 1st Battalion 35th Infantry Division and the Gunsan fire department and hospital, according to airport officials.

Because the airport shares the runway with the 8th Fighter Wing, the Wolf Pack's fire department would provide aid to the Republic of Korea in the event of a crash or incident, said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Anderson, 8th CES fire department assistant chief of training.

Sergeant Anderson said the training was beneficial because the fire department doesn't have many opportunities to train with the ROKAF and civilians at the airport.

"It's a great way for us all to get together and look at different ways we do business," he said. "They (airport officials) ... get to see how we would respond if they actually did have an emergency at the airport. It's nice to see how each side functions and how together we can work as a team."

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Reichle, 8th CES firefighter, was the fire department's assistant chief of operations for the exercise.

"I've worked at civilian airports back in the U.S., but this was the first time I've been involved with an anti-terrorism exercise like that," he said. "It was interesting for me. I learned some new stuff just seeing how they set up and what they expect from us in the fire department.

"Any time we get to interact with the Koreans or ROKAF, I think it helps us, as the fire department, get even better," he continued. "(We see) the different equipment and different techniques they use that we can become more familiar with, and hopefully if we have something where we need their help or they need our help in the future, we'll be able to work better with them."

Kim Ki-Song is a Korean civilian firefighter who works with the Wolf Pack's fire department. He said the exercises help them prepare for these types of situations and future inspections.

"We need to protect my country from these types of threats," he said. "We are getting better as we practice over and over; these exercises also help us get ready for the ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection)."

Mr. Kim said he enjoys working with the Wolf Pack Airmen.

"We have a language barrier and conversation is difficult, but anything else is not really much a problem," he said. "I like to play with the young guys and have fun with them and learn from them about U.S. culture."

Sergeant Reichle agreed.

"I've gotten to train with (people from) a bunch of different countries - I've trained with Kuwaitis, Iraqis, guys from Singapore - but working with the Koreans, they're the best foreign nationals I've ever worked with," he said. "These guys are some of the hardest-working civilians I've ever had the pleasure working with. They keep me straight too; they've always got me covered making sure I'm not messing anything up, so I appreciate that."