While two men suit up in protective fiberglass-lined trousers and heavy rubber boots, another pair perched atop a big foam truck visually track each plane which enters the pattern and follow it until it heads for the taxi strip. The runway, buffeted by the prevailing winds from the Pacific Ocean, receives the bulk of the air traffic, but planes coming and going on its length eventually pass out of sight of the control tower when they are more than halfway down the pike. Charlie position lookouts supplement the tower by observing each plane while it completes its take off or touch down. Fig 4 MSgt. Its equipment is always aimed at the field and ready to roll.
Radio contact connects all units and crash vehicles with each other and the tower.
Fire is likely in all serious crack-ups. When fuel from smashed tanks splashes against scraps of hot metal, usually from the engine, a costly bonfire results. Most of the rolling stock used by the crashmen is aimed at quelling the fire. In that act, three big rigs which mix concentrated foamite and water play a leading role. Each of the trucks can pump 12,000 gallons of the fluffy stuff through twin turrets in two minutes.