LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The shell of a burnt plane blazes, defying the cool breeze. Crash trucks arrive on scene and firefighters jump out to fend off the flames.
As the fire dies down, the on-scene commander hits a switch, shooting geysers of flame to challenge the 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters yet again. The "burn pit" roars to life and training continues March 13 at Langley Air Force Base, Va.
Detached from the center of Langley, the burn pit provides an opportunity for Langley firefighters to combat the blaze of a simulated plane crash.
Aside from the blocky shape representing a standard fighter jet, onlookers would be hard pressed to believe the firefighters are dealing with a sample scenario instead of the real thing.
"You can't train for the real world without the burn pit," said Master Sgt. Jason Keller, 633rd CES assistant chief of training. "To prepare for a live-fire incident, you need to train with live fire."
The firefighters train semi-annually at the burn pit, but Keller said they train all the time in other areas such as personal development and equipment familiarization.
"Training helps build muscle memory," said Keller. "If the real incident occurs, we want training to kick in so our guys don't even have to think about what they are doing."
Keller is confident his troops could handle any fire, if the need arises.
"Seeing them go through the motions and execute their maneuvers shows me they are proficient," said Keller. "I have no doubt they can handle any challenge thrown at them."
For one Airman, the exercise gave him the experience needed to take charge and coordinate the firefighters to put out the fire as quickly as possible.
Staff Sgt. Kalob Eaton, 633rd CES crew chief driver operator, tried his hand for the first time at being the on-scene commander for the burn pit exercise. Having worked for six years under the direction of other on-scene commanders gave him the tools needed for success.
"Practicing on structural exercises gave me a lot of experience," said Eaton. "Being the on-scene commander, however, gave me a new perspective."
Eaton maneuvered the firefighters in their correct positions and ensured all of his troops were handling the flames in the safest, most effective way possible.
"Honestly, all I had to do was tell them what they already knew," said Eaton. "I know they can handle it, and I am confident that I can rely on them when the time comes."
As seen by their swift execution in the exercise, with members of the 633rd CES fire house on standby 24 hours a day, the Langley community can rest assured they are in good hands when the heat is on.