Camp Pendleton Wildland Firefighting

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• published: 09 May 2016
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Aviation and ground units from the Navy, Marine Corps, San Diego County and CALFIRE participated in an aerial firefighting exercise at Las Pulgas Lake on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, May 5, 2016. CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Camp Pendleton hosted the Wild Land Fire Fighting Exercise 2016 at Las Pulgas Lake here, May 5. The Wild Land Fire Fighting Exercise 2016 combines elements of aviation and ground units from Camp Pendleton, 3rd Marine Air Wing, Navy Region Southwest, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the San Diego Sheriff's Department. "This exercise is intended to highlight the coordination, planning and teamwork between the military and our partners with CAL Fire, with the San Diego Sheriff's Department all in support of fighting a common foe, which is wild land fires," said Brig. Gen. Edward D. Banta, Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The annual exercise simulated realistic conditions for a wild fire scenario and allowed the participating units to support the Camp Pendleton Fire Department and respond as they would in a real situation. "The partnership here in San Diego is something that is unique," said Tom Porter, the CAL Fire Southern Region Chief. "No place else in the nation has as robust a group of dedicated agencies working together to bring the fight to a fire when it happens." Military aircraft from the 3rd Marine Air Wing and U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 participated in the annual exercise, providing ready, trained and certified military and civilian resources to combat wild land fires in the region. The training utilized two types of Marine Corps aircraft, the UH-1Y Venom and the MV-22 'Osprey, and the MH-69R, which is operated by the Navy. The aircraft were equipped with a water delivery system, better known as a Bambi Bucket. "We are going to be using state, federal and military aircraft," said Jeff Cunliff-Owen, the assistant chief of the Camp Pendleton Fire Department. "They are going to be in this big exercise, coordinating things and making sure everybody is on the same page for this upcoming fire season." The exercise was the ninth iteration of its kind and showcased the employment of trained and certified military and civilian personnel using aircraft to combat wild land fires in the region. "While our primary mission is to train Marines and Sailors for combat mission's over-seas, we have a responsibility to our surrounding communities," said Maj. Christopher L. Janecek, aviation officer, MCI-West. CAL Fire San Diego trains with military year round in order to improve cohesion and procedures to fight fires on Camp Pendleton and the San Diego Area. The exercise takes place during Wild Fire Awareness Week when CAL Fire and their partner agencies stet an effort to raise awareness to ensure citizens are prepared for fire season. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Story by Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Necoechea