An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | May 8, 2012

Afghanistan: Kentucky Army National Guard firefighters perform vital mission in Afghanistan

By U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew W. Walker Afghanistan Regional Support Command West

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Most people would be hesitant to rush headlong into a burning building, risking their own safety to ensure the safety of others. The Soldiers of the 176th Fire Fighting Team, Camp Stone Detachment, not only rush in to the fire, they train others to do it as well.

Deployed from their Kentucky Army National Guard unit, they were originally was sent to Camp Stone to provide support for the air operations at the camp.

"We were originally sent up to provide support for the helo operations here at Camp Stone," said Army Staff Sgt. Wesley LaFortune, the team leader. "When we arrived, we found that there were other needs on camp that we could support."

One of those needs was as trainers for the Camp Stone volunteer fire brigade. After several fires on the camp and at neighboring facilities, the need for a fire brigade became evident and volunteers answered the call. The arrival of the 176th FFT provided the volunteers the opportunity to learn from professionals and the firefighters the opportunity to hone their training skills.

The training experience would better prepare the Soldiers of the FFT for their next opportunity, training the Afghan firefighters on neighboring Afghan National Army Camp Zafar.

"Right after we arrived and got settled, the Stewardship Section lead, (Lithuanian) Lt. Col. Aleksiejus Gaizevskis, approached us about the possibility of training the Afghan firefighters," said Sgt. Seth Frost. "We were excited about the opportunity to interact with the Afghans and give them the skills to ensure the safety of their fellow Soldiers."

Training with the Camp Zafar fire department was not only helpful to the Afghans, the fire team also found the experience rewarding.

"It was an excellent opportunity to interact with the Afghans, learn some of their customs and show them some of ours," said Army Spc. Logan Brumit. "This is my first deployment and to have the opportunity to work closely with and train the Afghan firefighters was a great experience."

For many of the Soldiers of the unit, the dedication and devotion to their brothers and sisters in arms and sense of selfless duty come from a long family history of military service,

"My family has been Navy Seabees for three generations," Frost said. "I initially enlisted in the Naval Reserve as a Seabee as well, and then transferred to the Army National Guard for the firefighting program."

Army Spc. Matthew Stevens echoed the sentiments.

"My father retired as an E-9, so I have always been surrounded by a military lifestyle, it was a natural decision to enlist once I graduated."

Army Sgt. Aaron Watts, although initially enlisted with the desire to become a nurse, realized he could also help his fellow Soldiers by becoming a firefighter.

"I enlisted out of respect for the service," he said. "My uncle and grandfather had served and a lot of my wife's family had also served so enlisting was an easy decision. I wanted to do something to help others and although I originally wanted to become a nurse, fighting fires has been very rewarding and a great way to serve."

The deployment, the first for the unit and most of the junior members, also gives junior firefighters valuable organizational experience.

"When we arrived, there was no established fire department," LaFortune said. "This has given our younger guys the chance to learn first-hand how to set up and organize a working fire house."

The organizational experience, coupled with the training experience will serve the team well in their future endeavors as firefighters, both in the military as well as on civilian departments. Following a hard day of grueling missions, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines of Camp Stone will be able to rest a little easier knowing the selflessly dedicated Soldiers of the 176th FFT have the watch while they sleep.

 

 

Related Articles
Sgt. Jessica Shields, a water purification specialist with the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, Missouri Army National Guard, checks the chlorine levels of the water meant for cooking and cleaning laundry during TRADEWINDS 25 exercise at Teteron Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, April 27, 2025.
Missouri National Guard Water Purification Team Supports TRADEWINDS 25
By Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane, | May 1, 2025
TETERON BAY, Trinidad – Few resources are more critical than clean water for sustaining troops in the field. From cooking meals to maintaining hygiene, a steady supply of safe water is essential to keeping Soldiers healthy,...

Group photo of Delta Company, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion Soldiers standing in front of the Seattle / King County Clinic.
Washington Guard Soldiers Support Clinic Through Language and Compassion
By Joseph Siemandel, | May 1, 2025
SEATTLE – A group of Soldiers from the Delta Company, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, recently volunteered at a Seattle and King County medical clinic to provide language support for visitors receiving free medical,...

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, deputy director, Air National Guard (ANG), addresses wing commanders and command chiefs at the Wing Leader Fly-In (WLFI) event, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee, April 23, 2025. The WLFI is an annual event that brings together senior leaders assigned to each of the 90 wings across the United States’ 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia to collaborate ideas and provide input on critical matters affecting the future of the ANG.
Air National Guard Leaders Host 2025 Wing Leader Fly-In
By Tech. Sgt. Sarah McClanahan, | May 1, 2025
ALCOA, Tenn. – U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, acting director of the Air National Guard, and Chief Master Sgt. Joshua D. Moore, command chief of the Air Guard, hosted Air Guard wing commanders and senior enlisted...