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315th AW firefighters return from RAF Mildenhall

  • Published
  • By 315th AW Public Affairs
  • 315th CEF
CHARLESTON S.C. --  Fire fighters from the 315th Civil Engineer Flight fire component, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, returned Sept. 20 from a deployment to Royal Air Force Base Mildnehall, United Kingdom.

Chief Master Sgt. Kelvin Turner, 315th AW fire chief, led a team of nine firefighters supplementing manning for the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron/CEF, a joint mission between  Air Force and Ministry of Defense firefighters.

During the two week deployment, these firefighters responded to a myriad of incidents including a Class III fuel leak on a large frame, USAF aircraft.

"The incident was complex due to the inability to suppress the leak," Tech. Sgt. Aaron Bebernitz, 315th CEF, said . "We were able to provide assistance by initiating several mitigating tactics to confine the leak and prevent contaminating the area."

Sergeant Bebernitz and crew were also instrumental in decontaminating all equipment used to contain the leak, resulting in large cost savings for the USAF.

While these firefighters were instrumental in fire suppression emergencies, they also utilized their training in basic and advanced life support techniques providing assistance during emergency medical events.

The reservists also provided support on several structural and medical emergencies including fire alarm activations, smoke odor investigations and children locked in vehicles.

When not responding to calls, they trained many hours on home station and transient aircraft. The 315th firefighters provided valuable insight on the egress procedures for the C-17-A Globemaster and conducted many live-fire evolutions, encompassing aircraft, structural and search and rescue at RAF Mildenhall.

"The deployment was an overwhelming success and provided valuable experience to the firefighters of the 315th Civil Engineer Flight," said Sergeant Bebernitz.

Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing at http://www.315aw.afrc.af.mil/. Follow the 315th on Facebook and Twitter.