SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany — Air Force firefighters have always had a difficult and dangerous job.

At any given moment, they could be asked to put out a fire, rescue someone from a plane crash or respond to a chemical spill. But the toughest part of the profession, Master Sgt. Robert Ward said, has nothing to do with responding to an emergency.

“The most difficult thing for a firefighter to do is to say goodbye to fellow firefighters,” said Ward, the base’s fire chief.

Firefighters assigned to Spangdahlem’s 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron had the heart-wrenching task of bidding farewell Friday to two of their own during a memorial for Senior Airman Timothy Alford and Airman 1st Class Erik Salazar.

Hundreds of people, including pilots, mechanics and German firefighters, joined them in mourning the pair of firefighters who died in a car accident Monday.

So many people wanted to attend the Spangdahlem service that organizers had to move it to an aircraft hangar and bring in a pair of bleachers to accommodate the crowd.

Two poster-size photographs of Alford and Salazar were placed in front of a podium along with their firefighting suits.

“I believe Erik and Tim are here with us today in spirit, smiling down on us all, pointing at various friends, joking and laughing just like they did together all the time,” Col. David Goldfein, commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing, said at the service. “So, today let’s celebrate the lives of these two men, friends, co-workers, fellow airmen and Sabers.”

Sabers is the squadron’s nickname.

The sight of the pictures, the reciting of Scripture readings and the harsh reality that the unit lost two comrades brought many firefighters to tears.

Toward the end of the service, a bagpipe player led a long line of firefighters in dress uniforms outside Hangar 1 to watch a formation of F-16s perform a fly-over in honor of Alford and Salazar.

Their fire chief said this week has been particularly hard because they were “extremely talented firefighters.”

“But it’s also difficult for me because they were both extraordinary human beings who died much, much too early,” he said.

Salazar, who was from El Paso, Texas, joined the Air Force in 2003 and arrived at Spangdahlem in April. Friends nicknamed him “Salsa.” He was 20.

Alford, of North Easton, Mass., entered service in 2000, less than a year after his high school graduation. He received orders to Germany in 2003 and soon after became a mentor to junior personnel both on and off duty. He was 25.

They died in a single-vehicle accident near St. Vith, Belgium, while off duty. The BMW sedan they were riding in struck a utility pole in the median on A-27. Airman 1st Class Skyler Burts, a passenger in the car, survived the accident and attended the ceremony.

Belgian and Air Force law enforcement authorities are still investigating the incident. But investigators and friends do not believe alcohol was involved because Alford, who was driving, is known for not drinking alcohol and often was the designated driver on nights out with friends.

USAFE orders safety stand down

U.S. Air Forces in Europe has ordered units across the continent to hold a safety stand down Monday.

Commanders will use half the day to focus on the risks associated with summer activities and remind airmen how to protect themselves. All units in the region will suspend flying and other activities, according to the order.

The stand down comes in the wake of last Monday’s fatal car accident involving two firefighters from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Maj. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr., vice commander of USAFE, attended a memorial ceremony for Senior Airman Timothy Alford and Airman 1st Class Erik Salazar at Spangdahlem Air Base on Friday and reminded people to be safe this summer.

“You know, in this imperfect world, we will probably never eliminate tragic accidents,” he said. “But personal vigilance and a good wingman philosophy can go a long way in reducing those impacts.”

— Scott Schonauer