US Army, December 27, 2016 - GRAFENWOEHR, Germany by Sgt Michael Bothwell and Spc Grant Gentry - Army firefighters from 23rd Ordnance Company responded to their first emergency Dec. 5 after standing up Europe's only active duty U.S. Army fire station.
A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter called with an in-flight emergency at the Grafenwoehr Army Airfield. Engine 1 arrived and worked side-by-side with on-base local national firefighters who also provide fire and emergency services for the airfield.
"It's awesome to see our hard work pay off," said Staff Sgt. Richard Vidot, a 23rd Ord. Co. section sergeant, and Gainesville, Fla. native. "The guys worked day in and day out to get the station ready and when that phone rang to dispatch us to our first emergency, we were ready."
The firefighters stood by at the airfield as the helicopter made an emergency landing.
This occasion marked the culmination of over a year's worth of work to build the fire station.
The firefighters trained at Ramstein Air Force Base and local national fire stations across Germany. U.S. Army Europe fielded the firefighting equipment.
Grafenwoehr Fire Chief Josef Rodler and U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria provided an indoor bay for operations and to shelter the trucks from the elements.
"I'm excited to come to work because we can now respond to emergencies, help others, and support the fire department," said Pfc. Austin Maxfield, a 23rd Ord. Co., military firefighter and Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.
The Blackhawk made the emergency landing and the 16th Sustainment Brigade displayed another asset to sustaining a Strong Europe.
A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter called with an in-flight emergency at the Grafenwoehr Army Airfield. Engine 1 arrived and worked side-by-side with on-base local national firefighters who also provide fire and emergency services for the airfield.
"It's awesome to see our hard work pay off," said Staff Sgt. Richard Vidot, a 23rd Ord. Co. section sergeant, and Gainesville, Fla. native. "The guys worked day in and day out to get the station ready and when that phone rang to dispatch us to our first emergency, we were ready."
The firefighters stood by at the airfield as the helicopter made an emergency landing.
This occasion marked the culmination of over a year's worth of work to build the fire station.
The firefighters trained at Ramstein Air Force Base and local national fire stations across Germany. U.S. Army Europe fielded the firefighting equipment.
Grafenwoehr Fire Chief Josef Rodler and U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria provided an indoor bay for operations and to shelter the trucks from the elements.
"I'm excited to come to work because we can now respond to emergencies, help others, and support the fire department," said Pfc. Austin Maxfield, a 23rd Ord. Co., military firefighter and Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.
The Blackhawk made the emergency landing and the 16th Sustainment Brigade displayed another asset to sustaining a Strong Europe.
See also |
12th CAB 12th Combat Aviation Brigade US Army Aviation
Helicopters Firefighting