CAMP ROBERTS, Calif. - The sound of axes chopping against hard wood and shovels digging into parched dirt echo across the wooded valley. Smoke and dust fill the air. Soldiers in full firefighting gear fan out across the rugged terrain, clearing a path on the forest floor.
These are the California Army National Guard Soldiers of Task Force 578th, comprised of men and women from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The majority of these troops are from the 578th Engineer Battalion, based out of Manhattan Beach; and 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, based out of Azusa.
Task Force 578th met at Camp Roberts, California, on Aug. 2 for a three-day course with firefighters from the California Department of Fire and Forestry Protection (CAL FIRE) to become certified as hand crews in the wildfire fighting effort in Northern California.
While helicopter crews and their support teams work tirelessly throughout the day dropping thousands of gallons of water on the raging firestorm, hand crews on the ground are tasked with the hazardous duty of cutting lines — removing undergrowth and low hanging branches to deprive the approaching blaze of fuel to burn.
Task Force 578th was called up on short notice to serve the state in a time of emergency.
“I was at work on Thursday and I got a call from my readiness NCO [noncommissioned officer], who told me we had been activated,” said Spc. Nathaniel Jones, a food service specialist from the 40th Brigade Support Battalion. “Now here I am.”
The Soldiers spent their first two days at Camp Roberts, also known as Camp Bob, receiving classroom training from CAL FIRE on a variety of subjects ranging from how their teams would be organized to basic safety skills needed while out in a dangerous environment. On Aug. 4, the Soldiers commenced the final phase of their training: A full day out in the field working with their tools while wearing full firefighting gear, including thick boots, flame-retardant suits, helmets and gloves.
“We are going to go out to these fires, and we are going to beat them like we do everything else, and we’ll keep going until the job is done,” said Pfc. Briana Wood, a San Diego resident in the 578th and a nursing student and goalkeeper on the Grossmont College soccer team.
As Citizen-Soldiers, the troops of the IBCT bring to the fight not just their military training, but a diverse range of experience from their civilian careers and education.
“As a carpenter, I’m pretty good with my hands,” said Staff Sgt. Armando Ulloa, a construction engineering supervisor with the 578th. “I think given some time and practice, our guys will be comfortable with what they’ve learned here.”
Upon the completion of this course, the Soldiers of Task Force 578th were given a hand crew certification for one year and sent north to participate in the Rocky and Humboldt fires. Thanks to the efforts of their CAL FIRE partners, these men and women have the practical skills and safety training to become valuable team players in the 2015 wildfire season.
“The safety of the Soldiers is a top priority for us,” said Lt. Col. Gilbert Roldan, the commander of Task Force 578th. “Every Soldier I have talked to during this exercise feels prepared and is excited to be here.”
Elsewhere in the West, about 25 troops from the Oregon National Guard were still assisting Monday with fires. Washington state Guard fire activities concluded over the weekend.