Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Ellsworth firefighters stand alongside firemen from South Dakota’s Army National Guard prior to a training exercise at the fire pit on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 12, 2019. Ellsworth AFB has one of the last few jet-fueled fire trainers, making the training experience more realistic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

A firefighter from Nebraska’s Army National Guard performs a nozzle stream check, prior to participating in a handline fire training exercise at the fire pit on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 13, 2019. Before training, firefighters must examine all of their equipment to ensure that everything works properly and to reduce the chance of safety incidents. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Firefighters from Nebraska’s Army National Guard use a light torch to ignite a mock aircraft fire during a training exercise at the fire pit on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 13, 2019. Jet fuel is pumped from the center of the fire pit into a pool of fuel surrounding the mock aircraft. To start a fire – firefighters use a light torch and a bucket of fuel to connect to the fuel stream at the center of the pit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

A firefighter from South Dakota’s Army National Guard carries a light torch after igniting the fuel pit at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 12, 2019. The fire pit at Ellsworth AFB provides Guardsmen with a realistic training experience due to its use of jet fuel, rather than the standard use of propane. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Firefighters from Nebraska’s Army National Guard extinguish a live fuel fire at the training facility on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 13, 2019. Firefighters are required to receive aircraft fire training annually. Civilian branches must also complete the training, if they have an active airport within their jurisdiction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Firefighters from Nebraska’s Army National Guard extinguish a handline fire at the training facility on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 13, 2019. A handline fire uses approximately 150 to 200 gallons of jet fuel to enflame the mock aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Nebraska Army National Guard firefighters extinguished a handline fire during a qualification training exercise at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 13, 2019. Firefighters douse the handline fire with water, by moving around the fire pit on foot and using a hose that connects to the fire truck. The flames from fuel fires tend to move whereas propane fires don’t, this provides fireman with a realistic training experience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Firemen from Nebraska’s Army National Guard perform a buddy check after extinguishing a handline fire at the training facility at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., July 13, 2019. During the training, safety is paramount. Firemen are swapped out after every iteration and all equipment is reassessed to reduce the risk of safety incidents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Firetrucks from South Dakota’s National Guard are filled with water prior to a modulation training exercise at the fire pit on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 12, 2019. The firetrucks can hold approximately 1,000 gallons of water. During the course of two days, 8,000 to 10,000 gallons of water were used during the fire trainings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

A firetruck from South Dakota’s National Guard prepares to extinguish a mock aircraft fire at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 12, 2019. For larger fires, fire trucks drive around the fire pit and use turrets connected to the fire truck to extinguish the flames. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Flames can be seen from the inside of a firetruck during a modulation fire training exercise at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 12, 2019. At the pit, modulation trainings use anywhere between 300 and 500 gallons of jet fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

A firefighter from Nebraska’s Army National Guard takes a breather after extinguishing a mock aircraft fire during a qualification training exercise at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 20, 2019. Ellsworth AFB is home to one of the last few jet-fueled fire pits in the country. Generally fire pits use propane, rather than jet fuel. Jet fuel fires provide firemen with a more realistic training experience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth’s fire pit gets lit

Published June 20, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --

Firefighters come to Ellsworth Air Force Base for their annual aircraft fire training . Ellsworth's fire training facility utilizes jet fuel, rather than propane, which provides firemen with a more realistic training experience.