Wolf Pack Airmen receive training on Korean Airliner

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sean P. Houlihan
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  When Korean Airliners fly into Gunsan City Airport they use the runway of the base. In order for the base to be prepared in cases of emergencies Airmen from the 8th Civil Engineering fire department and 8th Medical Group received emergency operations training Oct. 29 here. 

Base emergency services are the first responders to any emergencies at the Gunsan City Airport according to Tech. Sgt. Jason Rosenbaum, 8th CES fire department assistant chief of training. 

"This training is essential here because not only are we responsible to respond for the military aircraft arriving and departing from the base but civilian aircraft as well," said Sergeant Rosenbaum. "When dealing with a civilian aircraft you must safely evacuate the passengers and crew in large numbers." 

The training for the responders consisted of the airport manager showing the Airmen around the commercial aircraft explaining engine shutdown procedures, extinguishing an engine fire from the cockpit and the various access points that are used to quickly remove passengers and the crew from the aircraft. 

Sergeant Rosenbaum said this is the first hands on training he, and the other Airmen who were trained, have received from the local airport since his arrival in July. 

"The unit has training lesson plans to train Airmen but nothing is better than doing the hands on training since only so much can be taught inside the classroom," he said. "The Airmen here are familiar with the F-16 since they receive training on it during technical school and once they arrive here. The large frame (Boeing) 747 has more items to consider when dealing with an emergency situation." 

He said that fire department Airmen must worry not only about the crew and passengers on board but how much fuel is on board, what access points to use to get those individuals out safely and if stairs are available to get passengers out through the main boarding area. 

For Tech. Sgt. Alicia Denis, 8th Medical Operational Squadron non commissioned office in charge of ambulance service, the ability to train with the fire department and airport officials was beneficial but overwhelming at the same point. 

"As first responders we all know exactly what we will do and also what the fire department will do when it comes to patient care," she said. "This also demonstrates to the local airport officials that we have planned and prepared for any contingency operation." 

Sergeant Denis said the overwhelming part will be the sheer numbers of people that may require medical treatment in case of an emergency. The majority of first responder calls deal with aircraft with one or two pilots in an F-16 versus a commercial aircraft carrying up to a couple hundred people. 

Due to the high turnover of first responders on base the training will continue on a semi-annual basis to ensure the Airmen of Kunsan are trained and ready to respond and assist the local Gunsan City airport.