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12th Flying Training Wing

The 12th Flying Training Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, develops the next generation of Air Force aviators and enlisted aircrew by providing world-class flying training and education. The wing trains Airmen in the fundamentals of airmanship, instruction and leadership, preparing them for success in operational units across the Air Force. Through undergraduate Combat Systems Officer training, Pilot Instructor Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot indoctrination, enlisted aviator training, and other specialized programs, the 12th FTW produces skilled, adaptable, and combat-ready professionals capable of meeting the demands of today's complex operating environment while strengthening the future of American airpower.

 

 

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Articles

2024 Goodfellow Junior Firefighter Camp

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

The Goodfellow Fire Department hosted 12 local youth ages 10-12 for the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp, July 8-12, 2024.

Junior Firefighter Camp is a five-day program, teaching students the importance of fire safety and teamwork with fun learning activities. 

On the first day of the camp, students attended an orientation on what the camp would consist of and the importance of firefighting. They received their first lesson about the importance of first aid and how to apply it in an emergency. They then moved on to exit drills in the home, where the students were given a diagram to draw a plan of how to safely exit their homes in the case of a fire. 

Calvin, junior firefighter, ascends a ladder during the ladder operations activity during the second day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 9, 2024. Each of the 12 students had the opportunity to climb up and down the ladder to practice proper climbing techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

2024 Goodfellow Junior Firefighter Camp

Calvin, junior firefighter, ascends a ladder during the ladder operations activity during the second day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 9, 2024. Each of the 12 students had the opportunity to climb up and down the ladder to practice proper climbing techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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“The whole goal is to bring young kids in for a week and show them a little bit of what we do on the fire ground and things we do around the firehouse,” said Justin Nava, Goodfellow Fire Department firefighter emergency medical technician.

On Day two, students were issued their personal protective equipment; they then learned how to use rescue tools, complete bunker drills and ascend and descend ladders.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Levi Beard, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, and Kevin Cotton, Goodfellow Fire Department fire chief, present Elijah, 11, with his graduation certificate during the 2024 Junior Firefighter camp at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 12, 2024. After a week of different interactive lessons, the students earned the title of junior firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

2024 Goodfellow Junior Firefighter Camp

U.S. Air Force Maj. Levi Beard, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, and Kevin Cotton, Goodfellow Fire Department fire chief, present Elijah, 11, with his graduation certificate during the 2024 Junior Firefighter camp at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 12, 2024. After a week of different interactive lessons, the students earned the title of junior firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
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Day three focused on teaching students how to tie ropes and knots used by firefighters daily to secure equipment, perform tasks safely and efficiently and create rigging for rescues.

Day four included fire hose exercises, search and rescue drills and truck rides. Students practiced properly holding and dragging a fire hose, using its pressure to knock over a basketball and cone, then participated in a building search and rescue activity.

“Seeing them do the hose advancements and the search and rescue in the smoked-up facility is what I enjoyed,” said Chief Bill Provencal, Goodfellow Fire Department A-shift station chief. “The students finding their way through the dark and getting the victim out of the building was my favorite exercise of this week.”

Emmie, 12, draws her exit drills in the house plan during the first day of 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 8, 2024. The GFD hosted 12 local youth for the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp, July 8-12, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

2024 Goodfellow Junior Firefighter Camp

Emmie, 12, draws her exit drills in the house plan during the first day of 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 8, 2024. The GFD hosted 12 local youth for the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp, July 8-12, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Finally, on day five, the students toured the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, gaining hands-on experience with the various training components conducted there, followed by a graduation ceremony for the junior firefighters.

Lt. Gavin Maltias, Goodfellow Fire Department B-Shift firefighter, demonstrates use of the Jaws of Life to students during the second day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 9, 2024. The rescue tool demonstration was a challenge where students picked up and carried an open bottle of water without spilling the water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

2024 Goodfellow Junior Firefighter Camp

Lt. Gavin Maltias, Goodfellow Fire Department B-Shift firefighter, demonstrates use of the Jaws of Life to students during the second day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 9, 2024. The rescue tool demonstration was a challenge where students picked up and carried an open bottle of water without spilling the water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Romeo, 12, sits in the back of a fire truck during the fourth day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 11, 2024. Students participated in a building search and rescue activity after the firetruck ride. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

2024 Goodfellow Junior Firefighter Camp

Romeo, 12, sits in the back of a fire truck during the fourth day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 11, 2024. Students participated in a building search and rescue activity after the firetruck ride. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Junior firefighter students tour a firetruck during the fifth day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 12, 2024. Students participated in a tour of various training components conducted there, followed by a graduation ceremony for the junior firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

2024 Goodfellow Junior Firefighter Camp

Junior firefighter students tour a firetruck during the fifth day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 12, 2024. Students participated in a tour of various training components conducted there, followed by a graduation ceremony for the junior firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Wander Perez, Goodfellow Fire Department volunteer firefighter, assists Emmie in pulling the firehose to complete the Fire Hose Evolution during the fourth day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 11, 2024. Students practiced properly holding and dragging a fire hose, using its pressure to knock over a basketball and cone, and participated in a building search and rescue activity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)

2024 Goodfellow Junior Firefighter Camp

U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Wander Perez, Goodfellow Fire Department volunteer firefighter, assists Emmie in pulling the firehose to complete the Fire Hose Evolution during the fourth day of the 2024 Junior Firefighter Camp at the Goodfellow Fire Department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 11, 2024. Students practiced properly holding and dragging a fire hose, using its pressure to knock over a basketball and cone, and participated in a building search and rescue activity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn J. D’Errico)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Public Affairs Information

Tours of the 12th Flying Training Wing are provided to various community organizations, high schools, businesses, and academic military recruitment programs to educate their members about the 12th FTW mission.

Due to the high volume of requests and limited public affairs resources, tours and static displays are limited.

Please submit all requests in writing to the 12th FTW Public Affairs by email to 12ftw.pa.1@us.af.mil at least three weeks but no more than six weeks in advance. You may also call 210-652-1272.

Tours are not available on weekends and may be cancelled at any time because of increased security measures or mission requirements. The 12th FTW does not host tours of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph at-large. To schedule a tour of JBSA-Randolph, please contact JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs at 502abw.pa.official@us.af.mil or dial 210-652-4410.

If desired, requestors must arrange all meals. PA will provide contact information to base eateries. Modified tours will be granted for those with limited mobility - this must be stated on the tour request. If not stated, it is assumed that mobility is not an issue.