375th LRS Airman answers two calls to serve

Published July 24, 2026
By Senior Airman De'Quan Simmons
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --

For one Airman, the mission doesn't always end at the installation gate. Another call to serve is often just beginning.

Staff Sgt. Kyle Wirth, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron fleet management and analysis journeyman, serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Swansea Fire Department, responding to emergency calls and contributing over 30 volunteer hours monthly.

“For me, serving the local community is a natural extension of serving in the military,” said Wirth. “As an Airman, I am dedicated to protecting our country, and volunteering as a firefighter allows me to bring that same dedication directly to the local neighborhoods and families right outside our gates.

That commitment to service is reflected in Wirth's day-to-day responsibilities. In the 375th LRS, he plays a key role in keeping the installation's vehicle fleet operational. Wirth manages the procurement, receipt, and inventory of vehicle parts, and maintains accountability for tool kits, which directly enable support for flightline operations.

At the end of each duty day, Wirth turns on his issued pager before leaving the 375th LRS parking lot. From that moment forward, the routine commute home could be interrupted by a dispatch to a house fire, a rollover crash, or a medical emergency. He must integrate with the crew on arrival—and deliver potentially lifesaving support.

When I was selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant, I wanted to show my Airmen, not just tell them, what it means to live out our Core Value of Service Before Self. Being a volunteer firefighter has reinforced the discipline, adaptability, and leadership that I use every day in uniform.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Wirth, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron fleet management and analysis journeyman

“When I was selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant, I wanted to show my Airmen, not just tell them, what it means to live out our Core Value of Service Before Self,” said Wirth. “Being a volunteer firefighter has reinforced the discipline, adaptability, and leadership that I use every day in uniform.”

What began as a way to lead by example quickly became something more. Wirth quickly noticed the parallels between firefighting and being an Airman, such as teamwork, leadership, and physical fitness, all of which made him a more well-rounded leader and non-commissioned officer.

Wirth found that some of the most meaningful rewards came through the trust he built within the community. One interaction in particular remains among his most memorable, reflecting on an interaction while volunteering at a local bingo hall.

“Since we wear our fire department shirts to the hall, a woman with her son in a wheelchair recognized me as I was walking to my car, and asked if I could help lift him into their vehicle, and I gladly stepped in to assist,” said Wirth. “While fighting fires and responding to major emergencies is what we train for, it is those simple, direct moments of being able to help a neighbor in need that truly make the service rewarding.”

Although the emergencies may differ, Wirth said the purpose behind both uniforms remains the same. That perspective continues to guide the way he approaches both roles.

“I just want to express how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve in both of these roles,” said Wirth. “Whether I am supporting global operations on base or responding to a local emergency down the street, my goal is to lead by example and show that we are here to support our community inside and outside the gates.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Wirth, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron fleet management and analysis journeyman, stands in a vehicle maintenance bay on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 21, 2026. Balancing military service with volunteer firefighting allows Wirth to support both the Air Force mission and the surrounding community. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)