ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- U.S. Air Force, Guam International Airport and Palau firefighters participated in a joint aircraft fire training event at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam May 11.

The purpose of the exercise was to train and certify Palauan and GIA firefighters to maintain their aircraft rescue firefighting certification to meet stringent Federal Aviation Administration and National Fire Protection Association standards.

“We had the opportunity to train eight Palauan and two GIA firefighters this go around,” said Crispin Pacificar, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, assistant fire chief. “We trained them on aircraft rescue firefighting and provided them with Department of Defense aircraft familiarization.”

During this training, the 36th CES instructors covered items such as KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft familiarization, MQ-4C Triton aircraft familiarization, munitions safety and aircraft firefighting operations.

“The Andersen Fire & Emergency Services has the only working aircraft trainer in the Marianas region,” said Stanley Torres, 36th CES, fire chief. “This training was an opportunity for us to utilize what we have here and was an awesome way for both departments to improve their regional relationships as first responders.”

Part of the mission here at 36th Wing is to strengthen regional and local partnerships, and the 36th CES instructors continue to make that happen on a monthly basis.

“This training is important because it prepares neighboring first responders to prepare them for future DoD aircraft emergencies,” said Pacificar. “Should a DoD aircraft divert and land at Palau, the Palauan firefighters will be ready.”