COLD LAKE, Alberta -- Flames rose in the middle of the field from a pile of wood and scrap metal. As the flames rose, two canary-yellow fire trucks rolled to a stop nearby. A Canadian firefighter, wearing a brown fire-resistant suit, directed a group of silver-clad Marine aircraft-rescue and firefighting specialists as they approached the flaming mass.
This was just one of many training simulations that the ARFF specialists of Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 out of Minneapolis, encountered during their training at Exercise Maple Flag 46, May 27 to June 21.
Maple Flag is the Canadian Royal Air Force’s annual multinational air-combat exercise designed to provide Coalition forces an opportunity to learn how to work together and share best practices. The Marines of MWSS-471 assisted the Canadian RAF in the areas of fuel delivery and quality assurance. Additionally, the Marines provided supply, administration, communications and flightline support during the month-long exercise.
Between fighting simulated aircraft and structure fires with the Canadian firefighters, the Marines were also on stand-by in case any real emergencies arose. This gave them time to work outside of training exercises, learning about Canadian strategies and the reasons behind them.
Sgt. Brad Alexander, an ARFF section leader and Minnesota native, said there was a noticeable difference between the Canadian and Marine ways of doing business.
“On the Marine Corps side, it’s all about ‘go, go, go,’” said Alexander. “The Canadians follow the old saying ‘slow is smooth, smooth is fast.’”
Alexander said that while the Marines’ firefighting method focuses on speed and reaction time to a situation, they benefited from the Canadians’ measured strategy.
“The Canadians don’t run anywhere, but they move with a purpose,” said Alexander. “They get the mission done and they don’t waste any time. They step back, look at the big picture, assess the situation and how to attack it.”
Alexander added that sharing a fire station, or “crash barn,” with the Canadian firefighters gave the Marines valuable experience working with other countries.
“Fighting a fire alongside another country is pretty rewarding,” said Alexander. “It is experience that you can bring back home, something you can be proud of. Sharing a crash barn with the Canadians has been nothing but a positive experience.”
In addition to crash simulations, the ARFF Marines were also able to fight structural fires for training purposes. They also remained on standby during forward air refueling point training with Marines from MWSS-471’s bulk fuels section.
The firefighters at Exercise Maple Flag 46 hosed down the flaming structure. Its fires subdued, they combed through the debris, other Marine and Canadian RAF firefighters watched closely at how their blended strategies aided their mission’s accomplishment.