Utah airmen document fires from above


14 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY— Some airmen from Utah got a unique view of the fire season from the inside of a Blackhawk Helicopter.

The 2nd Combat Camera Squadron, from Hill Air Force Base, said their over-the-top view gave them a peek into how much hard work goes into keeping our communities safe.

"Looking straight down at the fire is a little bit intimidating," said Staff Sgt. Robert Harnden of the 2nd Combat Camera Squadron.

Harnden said they had to get right above the line of fire, where all the new fuel was being consumed. It's a hot, grueling perspective Harnden said he had not seen himself before.

Harnden and still photographer Staff Sgt. Tim Chacon spent hours strapped into a gunner seat, sometimes hanging outside the Blackhawk.

"It's just amazing to see them operate," Harnden said. "It's been such a privilege to work with them."

The squadron's job goes beyond just taking pictures.

"Our airmen are trained to shoot with a video camera, or a still camera, but they're also trained to shoot with a weapon," said Capt. Gina McKeen of the 2nd Combat Camera Squadron. "They know when they need to put down the camera, and pick up a gun."

Whether it's capturing combat, training, or even wildfires, they said those images help different units to study their attack and improve.


Looking straight down at the fire is a little bit intimidating.

–Sgt. Robert Harnden


"We're able to give real information back to the people fighting the fire, about where the fire is going, what direction it looked like it's heading, things like that so that they can more effectively fight the fire," McKeen said.

They said getting up close also helps prepare them for combat, where they may get into some tough situations.

The 2nd Combat Camera Squadron follows all branches of the military and even some international units. They recently worked alongside some British soldiers during a mission in Afghanistan.

Photos

Related stories

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Mike Anderson

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast