HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Seven firefighters from Hill Air Force Base's Fire and Emergency Services recently trekked to Idaho for a joint training exercise at Mountain Home, where they tested new equipment that was configured for a new firefighting foam known as Fluorine-Free Foam, or F3.
Training exercises are often done at Hill using fire simulators that burn propane, but Hill firefighters were seeking out a different experience to test the new foam's effectiveness. A firefighting team from Hill was invited to Mountain Home, which has a training area that uses JP-8 fuel burning fires.
“The training was very valuable in reflecting an actual fire scene,” said Staff Sgt. Tristan Overson, lead firefighter for the exercise. “It better prepared our Air Force firefighters for real-world scenarios involving aircraft crashes.”
Overson said their teams needed additional experience with the new foam, as there is a learning curve due to the need for more aggressive tactics when using it.
Previously, the Air Force used Aqueous Film-Forming Foam. When it was discovered that the foam contained substances that were potentially harmful to the environment, the Air Force transitioned to F3.
Master Sgt. Christopher Ingle, Hill’s military deputy fire chief, said it was a very positive experience. He is grateful for the relationship the base has with their counterparts at Mountain Home and for their willingness to host them for the joint training. He said they will be hosting fire fighters from Mountain Home in the future for F-35 and wildland fire training exercises.