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Butts Army Airfield,
established in 1957, is named after 2nd Lt. John E. Butts, posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
in World War II. BAAF Crash
Station (FCFES Station # 33) is staffed with a minimum of six personnel
(1 Captain, 2 Driver/Engineers and 3 firefighters). Main responsibility
is aircraft crash / rescue to the two main runways on airfield proper.
However, crash support is all provided by Station 33 at Camp Red Devil, a
rough surface (hard-pack) runway 15 miles south in the downrange training
area. Other responsibilities include standard Engine company responses to
EMS, rescue, hazardous condition and fire protection for a primary
response district which extends from the main post area into the down
range area. Additionally,
personnel have the rescue training and ability to respond to high
altitude crash rescue incidents. BAAF
has a flying mission that must be protected 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
The United
States Army uses the airfield primarily for rotor wing aircraft
training. OH-58 Kiowas, CH-47 Chinooks, AH-64 Apaches, UH-1 Hueys and UH-60 Blackhawks are stationed here for
training, maintenance and deployment worldwide. The airfield is home to approximately
90 aircraft, worth over $700 million dollars. The United States Air Force and USAF Academy
regularly use the runways for fixed wing trainer aircraft and C-130
Hercules airlift missions. On occasion civilian aircraft are authorized
use of the airfield. During
peacetime, the airfield averages 160 flights per day.
Station 33
protects many structures including; an air control tower, operations
center, 3 large hangars, 2 motor pools, aircraft simulator, various
support structures, and fueling facilities. The station may have the lowest call
volume; however, the high dollar value of the district dictates the need
for constant protection. Airfield
Crash crews must respond to an airfield incident within two minutes after
receiving a crash alarm.
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