The Perfect Surprise Party

You know how I said I wasn’t so sure I would be able to keep up a daily blog? I caved a few days ago, but I’m back! Life gets busy sometimes and while it’s still busy, let’s pump out a quick post here about planning the ultimate celebration for someone close. So instead of planning a new party, let me describe a party I helped plan a “few” years ago.The seemingly perfect celebratory birthday party was for my dad. It was his 40th. Mom and I went all out inviting every one of our friends from across different friends groups. Dad and I were also on the local volunteer fire department, so of course we had a fire truck in the backyard.Dad hates surprises. Like the time he came home from serving in South Korea for a year with the Army and we had bought an Akita dog without consulting him. Yup, he hates surprises.This time, although he’d made himself clear how he felt about surprises, we did it anyway. He loves us to this day; I promise.He had no idea what was coming and as he road his bike home from work he could see the bright red fire truck through the trees (I group up in a VERY rural town in the Montana Rocky Mountains, so anything else would’ve been hidden through the trees). We had music, drinks, food, brats and burgers on the grill, a piñata and all our friends. What an awesome celebration held in our backyard, our happy place. It was amazing and Dad accepted it. I don’t remember if he instructed us to never do something like that again, but we didn’t anyway. Perhaps we’ll have to do something special for his 60th in five years. #evillaughFrom the party,Ben

Dirty Jobs: Water, fuel systems maintenance

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

6/19/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Water and fuel systems maintenance Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron worked to replace one of the largest sewage lift station pumps here June 18."These pumps tend to get clogged with rags, sanitary napkins, etc.," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Schrader, a 379th ECES water and fuel systems maintenance technician deployed from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. "Our sewage systems weren't built to handle anything other than toilet paper and sewage, so when people put other things in them, it's bad news for everyone."The issue began with the damaged pump, but snowballed when the team went to replace it and a retaining rail pulled out of place requiring them to hoist an Airman into the hole to not only replace the pump, but also the unaligned rail."We have to make sure the sewage does indeed go away and doesn't come back up," said Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Williams, the 379th ECES superintendent permanently assigned here on a one-year controlled tour. "This is one of the main contributing factors to delivering combat power -- disposing of everyone's waste, and it's something a lot of people take for granted."The chief said the operation is a unified effort between agencies from across the wing including the fire department, bioenvironmental engineering, ground safety and his troops."The fire department provides the tripod and breathing equipment necessary for lowering our guys in the hole," Williams said. "Bio ensures the quality of air in the confined space, while safety provides the necessary oversight to help keep us on track."Everyone uses the restrooms making it everyone's responsibility to police what they put into the toilets so situations like these don't occur regularly, the chief said. While it is understood that the systems can get old and clog on their own, the base can certainly help these Airmen in a preventative way from having to fix things that wouldn't have been broken otherwise.

PyroLance: Water with firepower

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

6/6/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Today's aircraft rescue and firefighting emergencies require a quick response and the ability to access complex composite structures such as the many Air Force airframes protected by the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters here.To do this, firefighters require top-notch tools and equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently while limiting loss of life and property. The 379th ECES fire department practiced using a PyroLance here June 4 as part of that mission. This tool gives crews access to areas where hidden fires continue to burn. This technology allows firefighters the ability to puncture and spray water into structural walls, aircraft skin and vehicle compartments without ever having to step inside a hazardous environment."By directing the powerful stream directly at the source of the fire, fires can be cooled and extinguished with maximum effectiveness," said Staff Sgt. Kristopher Jaime, a 379th ECES firefighter.The PyroLance is typically operated by two people. One person works the water tank and pump generator, while the other works the handle and nozzle. The handle/nozzle operator must be in full personal protective equipment due to the nature of the tool and its application. The PyroLance can also be combined with foam systems for extinguishing fires traveling along sources such as gasoline and jet fuel."This tool gives us the capability to cut through and into just about anything to put out the fire," Jaime said.Useful in many applications other than aviation, this high pressure technology is also a viable asset in combating municipal, rescue, hazardous material, wildland and is now included into the Air Force's new Rapid Intervention Vehicle apparatus."Its versatility brings flexibility to our firefighting mission here," said Airman 1st Class Taner Masters, a 379th ECES firefighter. "By making such a precise insertion into an aircraft or structure, instead of cutting up the skin or walls, we can effectively save the Air Force a lot of money in repair damage."