The Royal Air Force (RAF) has provided intensive training on operating specialized fire engines to nine Ukrainian military firefighters at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire.
The training initiative comes as the United Kingdom donated 17 specialist firefighting vehicles to Ukraine to enhance their response capabilities against damage caused by Russian aerial attacks.
The donated vehicles, most of which have previously served with the British military, were used to train the experienced Ukrainian firefighters.
According to one Ukrainian firefighter, these vehicles will "save lives and bring us closer to our military victory."
Wing Commander Mark Concarr, the deputy commander of support force at RAF Wittering, highlighted the upgrade these vehicles offer, stating that the Ukrainian fleet primarily consists of old, Soviet-era vehicles. The modern and capable vehicles donated by the UK will provide the Ukrainian firefighters with an improved firefighting capability.
The fleet consists of 15 rapid intervention vehicles and two major foam vehicles, with one vehicle donated by the Welsh Assembly and the others sourced from the Royal Air Force and Defence Fire and Rescue.
Seven of the vehicles have already arrived in Ukraine, and the remaining vehicles are expected to arrive within the next two weeks.
Flight Lieutenant Charles Carpenter, who led the training team, emphasized the enhanced capabilities of the donated vehicles, allowing for the production of water and foam while in motion. This is in contrast to the static equipment the Ukrainian firefighters are accustomed to, which limits them to tackling fires one at a time.
The Ukrainian trainees, who are experienced military firefighters, underwent a condensed and intense training package over five days. They will further disseminate this training upon their return home.
RAF Wittering Station Commander Wing Commander Nikki Duncan noted the significance of hosting the training at Wittering, highlighting the emotional connection established between the Ukrainian firefighters and the local Ukrainian community during a visit to a Ukrainian church.
Duncan expressed the importance of this initiative, not only for RAF Wittering but also for the Air Force as a whole, as it signifies the UK's contribution to increasing the operational capability of the Ukrainian firefighters.
An anonymous Ukrainian firefighter expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom for providing the training opportunity, assuring that they will utilize the equipment to its fullest potential once they return home. Photo by David Luther Thomas, Wikimedia commons.