177th Fire Department Conducts F-16 Familiarization Training for Local First Responders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cristina J. Allen
  • 177th Fighter Wing

The 177th Fighter Wing’s Fire Department provided F-16 Fighting Falcon familiarization training to members of the Atlantic City Fire Department and the New Jersey State Police Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist Unit here Aug. 9, 2017.

This training will help local first responders to become aware of the F-16’s hazards and danger zones in the event of an F-16 crash during the upcoming Atlantic City Air Show on Aug. 23, 2017.

“The main objective is to teach about the hazards of an F-16 during a rescue,” said William Ferguson, a captain with the 177th FD. “The main concern is getting the pilot out safely.”

Ferguson went over a PowerPoint with F-16 specifications as well as taking the Atlantic City FD and NJSP out on the flight line to see an F-16 first hand. This helped to give a visual and hands on familiarization with the aircraft.

“This PowerPoint was a great heads up, as well as the hands on with the F-16,” said T.J. Culleny, Atlantic City FD Battalion Chief. “This demonstration puts us in a beneficial position to work with the 177th FW and the NJSP TEAMS Unit.”