All fired up on Op Catalyst

By CPL Simone Liebelt

CPL Mark Eadie, left, and SGT Darren Johnson are the only Air Force firefighters deployed to the Middle East.

Photo by CPL Simone Liebelt

THE two firefighters supporting AP-3C operations as part of Operation Catalyst may not have a fire hose or a real fire truck, but that doesn’t mean they’re not the envy of their counterparts back home.

After all, they’re the only two Air Force firies deployed to the Middle East.

Sergeant Darren Johnson and Corporal Mark Eadie, both from RAAF Base Williamtown fire section, spoke about their experience as part of Task Group 633.2.

“It’s been a big eye-opener to get deployed, because we [as firefighters] don’t get deployed,” CPL Eadie said.

“Usually we do everything out bush in Australia, but here we’re working on a big allied air base, so we’ve been able to adapt our skills with the Coalition firefighters. We’re kind of like a quick response fire team at a Grand Prix, where we are the first response to any incident on the ground.”

He said it’s been a real learning experience to be the only Aussie firefighters deployed.

“We’ve really evolved into a close-knit team and have also forged a strong bond with the crews,” he said. “Seeing the task group work as a whole has been great, and the fact that there have been no accidents is proof in the pudding that we’re all doing a good job here. It’s been an awesome experience.”

“We work long hours so we’re shagged and dead on our feet, but being here has given us a real appreciation of what is being achieved, and we’re very proud of being involved in that,” said SGT Johnson.

Another thing they were proud of, he added, was wearing desert flightsuits – a privilege usually only reserved for flight crews.

“These are our official uniforms because they’re flame retardant,” he said.

“They give you a full range of movement too,” added CPL Eadie, “plus great airflow.”

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