JBLM soldiers prepare to deploy to fire lines
TACOMA -- Soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord have begun the training needed to help battle wildfires now burning 1.1 million acres across seven states, including Washington, Oregon, and California.
It is the first time since 2006 that active-duty troops will be deployed to assist in wildland firefighting efforts.
The group of 200 soldiers from the 17th Field Artillery Brigade will be divided into teams of 20 to be deployed to the North Star Fire Complex near Republic, Wash., later on in the week.
"It is an important mission and as odd as it sounds, it's a way for the soldiers to give back to the community and that's how they see it,” said Lt. Col. James B. Dunwoody, who will help command the troops once they reach the fire lines.
Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service were on hand Wednesday at JBLM to help prepare soldiers, who were put through both classroom and hands-on training.
"When it comes to the training side of it, it is very easy for us to adapt some of the skills they already possess into wildland firefighting,” said Robb Chapman with the U.S. Forest Service, who was busy teaching soldiers how to deploy emergency fire shelters while on the run from fast-approaching flames.
The troops will complete two additional days of field training once on the ground.
"Obviously they need us and we're here to help give our support in any way that we can,” said Sgt. Brooks Robinson, who is among those deploying.
Specialist Tiffany Lee also got word this week that she will deploy to the fire lines. She was not aware when she joined the military that soldiers could be called on to fight wildfires.
"I'm sure I'm talking for me and most of the soldiers that we're excited to go,” she said.
The soldiers will join more than 120 Washington National Guard troops already on the ground.
Members of the guard are currently helping to combat the massive Chelan Complex Fire in Central Washington.
"Our folks are working in some pretty tough conditions,” said Col. Gent Welsh with the Washington National Guard, who visited the fire lines on Tuesday. “Our folks that I saw yesterday were actually working on the side of a mountain with trees falling all around them."
National Guard troops prepare for wildfires long before the season begins and have more formal training than the active-duty soldiers.
Colonel Walsh said members of the guard have been on the ground for only a few days, but rough conditions combined with 12 to 16 hour shifts can take a toll quickly.
"You know, go to sleep, get a shower and go right back to it the next day,” he said.