554 RHS hosts airfield damage recovery, fire rescue course for MWSS 373 Published Jan. 15, 2025 By Senior Airman Audree Campbell 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers hosted an airfield damage recovery and fire rescue course at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 6-10, 2025. For the first time, 554 RHS Exercise Silver Flag instructors trained 25 engineers and firefighters assigned to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, to increase joint training and hone critical skill sets required to counter threats anytime, anywhere. “This has been an extremely beneficial event for both services as we are learning how each service operates, the common procedures between us and small differences in the ways we operate for us to integrate in a joint environment,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Celyn Rogers, 554 RHS Silver Flag commander. The course covered a repository of airfield recovery capabilities to include using rapid set concrete with the “Slash and Splash” method, as well as other airfield damage recovery procedures and techniques. It also provided the opportunity for Marine and Air Force fire rescue members to exercise lockstep to ensure full communication and safety during an emergency in a joint operation environment. “If my life were in the hands of an Airman and Marine team, I have full confidence and faith I’m in good hands,” said U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. William French, MWSS 373 fire chief. Teamwork is vital when it comes to any joint operation, whether it is training or real-world. Moving forward, the 554 RHS Silver Flag instructor team is offering this course to all sister services here. “The invitation is [open] to any branch to provide integration in the future,” said Master Sgt. Robert Belcher, 554 RHS structural supervisor.