PERRY, Ga. – Firefighter Airmen from across the country participated in water rescue training, during Exercise Global Dragon 2019, held at the Guardian Centers of Georgia.
During Domestic Operations (DOMOPS), the Air National Guard plays a vital role in disaster response to save lives and protect property, but not all players at Global Dragon belong to the ANG.
“I have never done boat operations before,” said Airman 1st Class Taylor Gunion, a firefighter from the 19th Airlift Wing. “On the active duty side, we don’t usually do a lot of stuff at home like this, so this is pretty cool to learn. Also, back at home in Oklahoma, and at my home station in Arkansas, it is pretty flooded right now.”
Water rescue training prepares Airmen to safely navigate high waters by foot, paddle boats and motorized boats. The course also provides training on swift water rescues, and to how access and breach roofs of homes to look for trapped occupants.
“In the National Guard, water rescue has become the focus of DOMOPS due to frequent flooding and hurricanes,” said Master Sgt. Sean Murphy, a Global Dragon fire instructor with the 175th Wing. “That’s why it’s imperative that we train in these situations with the right equipment to do the job so that we can serve our country.”
Global Dragon began as an exercise for emergency managers. Over time, other career fields in the ANG, and other branches saw value in the capabilities of the exercise for disaster responders to hone skills in training areas not available at their home stations. More than 300 Airmen, Soldiers and Marines participated in the training exercise this year.