WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. – When a massive wildfire threatened Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base March 8, the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing went into action to defend its home.
The wing’s fire department mobilized four trucks and crews to fight the fire.
Meanwhile, the wing deployed two HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft to provide overhead command and control and an HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter to dump water onto the flames.
Eventually, they were joined by three New York Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawks belonging to the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, based at Long Island’s MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma.
At the beginning of the fire, one 106th fire truck and personnel, along with additional fire departments, were dispatched to contain the blaze.
“Upon arrival, we quickly realized it was a significant brush fire and immediately dispatched a rapid intervention vehicle, a structural fire engine, a 4,000-gallon water tanker, and two command vehicles,” said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Gadman, 106th Rescue Wing fire protection superintendent.
The HC-130J Combat King II was about to take off for a training mission when it was redirected to assess the size of the blaze and its proximity to the base.
“There were four or five fires that started along the highway, and the biggest one was north of the [air] field with the wind blowing in our direction,” said Maj. Steven Turner, an HC-130J instructor pilot of the wing’s 102nd Rescue Squadron.
Turner said the immediate observation of the fire by the HC-130J enabled 106th Rescue Wing leaders to decide how to evacuate base personnel.
“Our priority is always the safety of our Airmen and the surrounding community,” said Col. Jeffery Cannet, 106th Rescue Wing commander.
The HC-130 crew monitored the area as the members left the base, flying for approximately nine hours and informing first responders about the fire, its direction, and any other fires.
The HH-60W from the 106th and the three Army Guard UH-60M Black Hawks coordinated with the HC-130 to dump water onto the fire.
“Once we got all the other Army birds integrated as a joint effort and all four of us were dropping water, you could really start to see some progress being made,” said Lt. Col. James “Sunny” Liston, the HH-60W pilot from the 101st Rescue Squadron, assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing. “Between us dropping from the air and all the firefighters on the ground, you started seeing the fires start to dissipate.”
The 106th HH-60W made 28 bucket drops in five hours, dumping approximately 14,100 gallons of water on the blaze. The three UH-60Ms made 43 bucket drops, with each crew flying for three hours and dropping a total of 28,380 gallons of water.
Cannet said the 103rd Rescue Squadron Tactical Air Control Party, assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing, was also instrumental in coordinating between ground and air fire crews.
“The tremendous efforts by the base, local fire departments, and the Army were nothing short of heroic,” said Cannet.
“Their swift and coordinated response prevented this fire from reaching our flight line, safeguarding our mission and the surrounding community. This is a true testament to the strength of our partnerships and the dedication of our first responders,” he said.
As a new firefighter, Airman 1st Class Nicholas Passarella said he was glad to be a part of defending the base.
“Serving as an Air Force firefighter gives me tremendous pride because it’s a career that truly makes a difference every day. Knowing my actions directly helped save lives and protect property during yesterday’s brush fire reinforced that I’ve chosen exactly the right path,” said Passarella.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said eight fire departments and 20 emergency management agencies from across Long Island responded to the blaze.
Suffolk County officials declared the fire contained on March 9.
Investigators determined that 600 acres of the protected Pine Barrens were accidentally set ablaze by a resident making s’mores.