The National Guard Trains in the Queen City

The Fire Department from Key Field National Guard Unit teamed up with 209 National Guard Unit from Gulfport to conduct a 5-day rope and rescue and technical training at the Public Safety Training Facility.

"It's really helping us build on things that we could take back home. We did some land navigation out here with Doug, too. Very helpful tools. So in case we ever need a rescue operation to go save somebody or save some property, it'll be easier for us to help in those operations," said Zytre Cole from the 209 Gulfport Unit.

Their teamwork and communication skills are tested as they take turns being lowered down to rescue the mannequin which provides them an opportunity to refresh and maintain their skills.

"We're focused on rope rescue. Right now, they're doing pick-off. Basically what we're doing is just refreshing our skills, introducing new equipment and new techniques to kind of for those guys to bring home and show others," stated Nathan Isherwood, the Training Cheif.

The training began on Monday with an overland search and rescue training, one soldier shares the most complicated things he has had to do in the training.

"I'm not going to lie. I was probably trying to keep pace, just knowing how to keep everything rhythmically and smooth so that you're able to tell another guy, like, before you're traveling into the woods so he knows if you get hurt or injured, that he can come and rescue. That you relay it over the interconnect, stated Cole.

Isherwood said that this training displays that the local fire department does a lot more than just fight fires