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Members of the Azeri air force review the fire response capabilities the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron provides Aug. 7 on Ramstein. The visit gave Azeri air force leaders a chance to further military relations and improve the partnership between the U.S. and Azeri forces.
Leaders from the Azerbaijan Search and Rescue and Fire department participated in a U.S. Air Force Fire Rescue Partnership Training course Aug. 6 to 9 by the 435th Construction and Training Squadron. This familiarization course provided them a chance to further military relations and improve the partnership between the U.S. and Azeri air forces.
During the course, Majs. Tofig Azizov and Vugar Bunyat-Zade, Azerbaijan Search and Rescue and Fire Fighter team chiefs, took the opportunity to learn about rope rescue, equipment and vehicle familiarization as well as a capes demonstration with the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron’s fire department.
“As we are a younger country, we are building everything new. We know we lack some things, so we came here hoping to learn the basics of building a good fire station and how everything should work,” said Azizov. “This course was very beneficial, and we would definitely like to participate in this course in the future.” Not only did the course provide the Azeri air force leaders with hands-on insight into U.S. Air Force capabilities, it also enhanced the partnership between the two militaries.
“During the course, we provided an overview of our operations and search and rescue and firefighting techniques,” said Tech. Sgt. James Hickman, contingency fire rescue training NCOIC. “But the biggest impact is going to be at the Azeri’s fire department level. It’s such an honor for them to come here, and we were able to do this for them.”
In addition to the tour of Fire Station one, the guests also visited the Charlie Company 1-214 Aviation Regiment in Landstuhl, Germany, to receive training on contingency aeromedical evacuation procedures. More was taken away at the conclusion of the course than just certificates: knowledge, hands-on experience and a stronger relationship between the forces.
“It was a nice experience to work with them,” said Master Sgt. Max Wheeler, Emergency Management Services section chief. “As firefighters we like to help each other out. Like a brotherhood, we support each other, we compare and most important, we learn from each other.”
