As an Oxford firefighter, Brent Ludwig is trained to look for ‘hot spots? when battling structure fires.
By the end of this week, the 24-year-old lifelong Oxford resident will be right in the middle of one of the biggest ‘hot spots? in the entire world ? Iraq.
The 1998 graduate of Oxford Christian Academy is on his way to Iraq to serve as a firefighter on United States military bases in the liberated, but still war-torn, Middle Eastern nation.
When asked if he has any fears about going over there, Ludwig simply replied, ‘Nope.?
Ludwig is not a member of the Armed Forces. He’s one of the newest employees of The Wackenhut Corporation, one of the world’s largest private providers of security-related services. The corporation ? headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida ? is a subcontractor to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The paid-on-call firefighter/EMT, who’s served Oxford’s department for five years, began the interview process for the position about six weeks ago. He got the idea after seeing an advertisement in Firehouse Magazine.
Ludwig’s job will be to provide fire support and suppression on U.S. military bases in Iraq for one year. He began a week of special training for the job on May 31 in Houston, Texas and will leave for Camp Anaconda, a military base about 40 miles north of Baghdad, on Friday.
He explained that Camp Anaconda is the ‘central distribution point for the whole country.?
‘Everything comes in and everything gets shipped out from there,? Ludwig said.
Ludwig is unsure which of the approximately 30 U.S. military bases in Iraq he will be stationed at.
However, once on the base, Ludwig will not be allowed to leave or travel into civilian areas.
When asked why he wanted this job, Ludwig replied, ‘The adventure more than anything.?
‘It’s a different way to spend a year,? he said. ‘It’s a way to break up the monotony of life.?
Ludwig also said he fits the profile of the kind of men needed in Iraq right now ? ‘able-bodied? without ‘a lot of responsibilities back home.? The latter refers to the fact he’s not married and has no children.
‘This is one thing I can do to earn the right to live here,? Ludwig said.
Although is parents, Oxford residents Dan and Peggy Ludwig, are ‘not thrilled? with this particular career move, Ludwig said ‘they support me.?
‘I wish him luck,? said Oxford Fire Chief Jack LeRoy. ‘I hope he stays safe.?
‘I hate to lose him for a year, but he’s got a life to live,? the chief added.