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ByKayla Christopher For The Oklahoman Published: July 20, 2017 5:00 AM CDT Updated: July 20, 2017 5:00 AM CDT

An apartment building on fire in Ukraine on July 16. Soldiers with the Oklahoma Army National Guard deployed to Ukraine rushed into the building and evacuated the third floor before firefighters arrived. [Photo by1st Lt. Kayla Christopher]

LVIV, UKRAINE During a routine morale, welfare and recreation trip, deployed citizen-soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, found themselves in a situation that put their military and civilian training to good use.

"We were about to head back to base when we saw smoke coming from down the street, so we decided to investigate," said Sgt. Matthew Odom, of Norman, who is assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th IBCT.

An apartment building had caught fire.

Odom, along with fellow Thunderbirds Sgt. Nelson Deese, Spc. Vincent Humerickhouse, Spc. Kellar Jackson, Spc. Aaron Moore and Pfc. Kevin Polk, rushed into the burning building and evacuated the third floor before firefighters arrived on the scene.

"We kept asking if there was anyone still in the building, and finally we found someone who spoke English who said that there was," Odom said. "Sgt. Deese and I just gave each other a look; it was like we knew what the other was thinking and we just stormed in."

"Instinctively, we all just ran inside and started getting people out," said Jackson, a native of Watonga. "There was a lot of smoke. It was chaotic and intense."

Jackson said the language barrier made the situation more difficult.

Deese, who serves as a volunteer firefighter in his community of Crowder, said his training as a firefighter and infantryman just kicked in.

"We were knocking on doors and windows trying to get people's attention," Deese said. "They were definitely not aware of the fire."

Once firefighters arrived, Deese made sure his fellow soldiers were safely outside the burning building before he pitched in to help the firefighters, unrolling hose and helping them move equipment upstairs.

"I feel like most soldiers, especially infantrymen, we run to the fight," Deese said. "Not a single hesitation."

Soldiers with the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 279th are deployed to Ukraine in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, an international coalition dedicated to building the training capacity of the Ukrainian army.

"I'm proud of the actions these soldiers took to ensure the safety of others," said Lt. Col. Bruce Lambeth, commander of the 279th.

"They are true examples of Oklahomans upholding the Oklahoma Standard; in this case, looking after their global neighbors while serving their state and country abroad here in Ukraine."

Kayla Christopher is a 1st lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

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Oklahoma National Guard soldiers rescue people from burning apartments in Ukraine - NewsOK.com