JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The emergency services team held tryouts for five first responders competing to join the team here, from June 8 - 9.
The tryouts occur once every quarter for all first responders, such as members from the 633rd Security Forces Squadron, 633rd Medical Group, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department and 633rd CES Explosive Ordinance Disposal at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
“[The EST is] a wing level asset that helps combat terrorist activity, high risk response or high risk activity,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel Day, emergency services team leader. “We do that by securing the base, personnel and resources.”
The demand for what Airmen bring to the fight will only increase and it is vital to take steps to ensure the readiness of the force.
To ensure this, the EST invites all members of JBLE to train with them every Wednesday.
According to Day, all Airmen, no matter their job title should build their tactical skillset. The training that EST does is not just useful downrange but at home as well.
The EST tryouts lasted for about 22 hours, starting at 5 a.m. and consisted of swimming, a fitness obstacle course, a 3-mile ruck and combat drills ending the next morning at 3 a.m.
The tryouts are built to induce both mental and physical stress in the individuals, so that the instructors may see how they will act in a fast paced and stressful environment.
According to U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Javelle Crite, emergency services team tactical team member, individuals are also tested on their ability to work with a team. This concept is vital to EST, because their lives depend on their team members.
Members in EST, [similar to any first responder] must be ready for any and all incidents at JBLE.
“We are here for the ‘what if,’” Day said. “We train for the worst and hope for the best, but just because we are on a military base, that doesn’t exclude us from having [high risk] responses.”
To ensure that EST is ready for that call, they make sure that the Airmen trying out can deal with the pressure and work well as a team. Once on the team the training will only get more difficult and they will train like their lives depend on it, because when EST is in the field it does.
For more information on the emergency services team or how to participate in the Wednesday’s training call (757) 764-6108.