N.C. Army & Air National Guard Firefighters - Maintain Mission Readiness Despite Government Shutdown

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tim Layton, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Specialist Massey, Knight, St Clair, SGT Groat and Specialist Gindelsperger, members of the North Carolina Army National Guard, conduct training October 23, 2013, on a US Army Tactical Fire Fighting Truck. The TFFT has a 6 man crew, carries 1000 gallons of water, 120 gallons of foam and is 8-wheel driven. It has enough tools and equipment on board to sustain an initial emergency response until additional units arrive to assist with operations. In the wake of the Federal Government shutdown many North Carolina State firefighters were furloughed and Army Guard Firefighters assigned to 430th and 677th Engineer Fire Fighting Teams were mobilized to assist in support of Fire Protection at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and Stanly County Airport. During this time training exercises were held at the 145th Air National Guard Regional Training Site in New London, N.C. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Patricia F. Moran/Released)