Heads up West Coast - the MAFFS 130s from Charlotte heading your way

From the NORAD/USNORTHCOM twitter feed:

"Two C-130s with MAFFS system from 145th Airlift Wing/North Carolina Air National Guard are being activated to assist with California wildfires."

For our west coast readers watch for the 145AW call signs Epic ## and MAFF ##. In addition to the regular west area fire cache freqs, two possible 145AW frequencies to watch for include 289.2000 and 292.2500 MHz.

If you aren't already, you can follow our military hobby comm twitter feed for additional freq and call information @MilcomMP.

California National Guard air resources battle wildfires

MAFFS 6, a C130J from the 146th Airlift Wing in Port Hueneme, Calif., drops a line of retardant over the trees in the mountains above Palm Springs July 19, 2013. The 146th Airlift Wing was activated July 18 to support CAL Fire and CAL OES on the Mountain fire and other potential wildfire activity throughout the state. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Carzis/Released)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Nearly a dozen aircraft and crews from the California Air and Army National Guard are battling wildfires across Northern California.

Currently, nine California Army National Guard helicopters and two California Air National Guard airtankers are working in coordination with CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service firefighting crews to battle the American, Swedes and Rim fires. In total the aircraft have dropped more than 250,000 gallons of water or retardant since the first crews were activated on Aug. 13.

As of Tuesday, Guard units were also involved in fighting fires in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah.
"We train for this fight every year," said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, adjutant general of the California National Guard (CNG). "Our ongoing coordination with CAL FIRE and CAL OES ensures that the right people, with the right training, are in the right place when the lives and property of our fellow Californians are on the line."

Three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are battling the American Fire, two Black Hawks are dropping on the Rim Fire, and a team of two Black Hawks and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter are flying in support of the Swedes Fire. Meanwhile, one Black Hawk is staged in Redding on call for medevac support throughout Northern California.

Each Black Hawk is equipped with a 660-gallon water bucket, while the Chinook's bucket has a 2,000-gallon capacity. The medevac helicopter is equipped with a specialized crew and a hoist for extracting injured personnel from rugged terrain. The helicopters have completed more than 229 drops, releasing about 111,500 gallons of water since their activation on Aug. 17.

The two C-130J airtankers are fighting the Rim fire. Both aircraft are equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems II (MAFFS) and are capable of discharging 3,000 gallons of water or retardant along the leading edge of a fire in less than five seconds, saturating an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide.

Since their activation Aug. 13, the airtankers have completed more than 53 drops, releasing about 142,000 gallons of retardant.

As a member of the state's mutual aid system, CNG aircraft and specially trained personnel are routinely used and deployed by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) to respond to a wide range of emergencies including wildfires, search and rescue missions and other disasters throughout the state." This multi-agency coordination and resource sharing effort provides an efficient and effective way to combat the state's most difficult wildfires.

CAP Supports U.S. Air Force Firefighting Role

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Civil Air Patrol is providing communications support to Air Force National Guard and Reserve units when they are engaged in fighting forest fires in the western U.S.

The Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, Program provides emergency capability to supplement existing commercial tanker support on wildland fires. When all other air tankers are activated but further assistance is needed, the U.S. Forest Service can request help from the Air Force's MAFFS units. MAFFS Guard and Reserve C-130s drop water and special slurry on forest fires across the western states. Their activity is controlled by the Air Expeditionary Group in Boise, Idaho.

Recently CAP used HF radio communications to directly connect, for the first time, the Air Expeditionary Group with one of its C-130s flying near Phoenix, a distance of close to 700 miles.
“In the demanding work of flying against forest fires, safety is vital, and that means dependable communications,” said Malcolm Kyser, CAP’s chief of communications. “Not only did the Air Expeditionary Group use CAP’s HF system to communicate directly with MAFFS 9 in this test, but several CAP radio operators assisted and were standing by on the frequency to provide relay services, if needed.”

In addition to the C-130, the Air Expeditionary Group conducted radio checks with CAP stations in Arizona, Idaho and Washington. Additional CAP stations in Oregon, Colorado and Wyoming reported good readable signals and were prepared to relay message traffic.

“This is a great opportunity for CAP’s highly trained HF radio operators to provide critical communications support to deployed Air Force units on actual missions,” said John Desmarais, CAP director of operations. “First Air Force and even the Pentagon are well aware of these MAFFS fire fighting missions, and CAP is now able to provide a meaningful contribution to the safety and effectiveness of their sorties.”

The CAP Communications Program consists of radio stations manned by trained operators across the country, available on short notice to support the missions of CAP and of its partner agencies. In particular, CAP communications systems provide point-to-point, air-to-ground and ground mobile radios that allow mission completion even when the commercial communications infrastructure is unavailable or overstressed.

Wyoming Air Guard unit conducts annual MAFFS training

Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, prepare to load a U.S. Forest Service Modualar Airborne Firefighting System II onto a Wyoming Air Guard C-130 Hercules, April 13, 2012. The annual training maintains currency and upgrade qualifications for pilots, aircrew and ground crews in preparation for the fire season. (Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Rusty Ridley)

By Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Natalie Stanley, Wyoming National Guard

Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, prepare to load a U.S. Forest Service Modualar Airborne Firefighting System II onto a Wyoming Air Guard C-130 Hercules, April 13, 2012. The annual training maintains currency and upgrade qualifications for pilots, aircrew and ground crews in preparation for the fire season. (Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Rusty Ridley)
download hi-res photo

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (4/18/12) – Select C-130 Hercules cargo plane crews with the Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing began preparing for their mission to fight fires from the air with a new training regiment centered on practicing in the skies above Wyoming.

The Airmen are conducting their annual Modular Airborne Firefighting System II training with the U.S. Forest Service at the Wyoming Air National Guard Base here, and also at the Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo., this week.

During their training, the Wyoming Air Guard crews are working closely with the U.S. Forest Service, who owns the MAFFS units, to accomplish their mission.

This type of training in the past required all four MAFFS units from across the country – three Air National Guard units and one Air Force Reserve unit – to meet in one spot. However, this year's training is new and more efficient, with the forest service coming out to Cheyenne in order to train the Wyoming Airmen.

"We have forest service liaisons here every time we operate MAFFS, helping us out, getting us what we need to get the mission done," said Air Force Capt. Tim Ray, a C-130 aircraft commander. “And of course we try to help them as best we can, too."

The MAFFS system was established in the 1970s and uses Air National Guard aircraft to release fire retardant and water from tanks onboard the aircraft.

The MAFFS II system was implemented in 2011 and has several improvements over the old system including a more efficient spray pattern; a new trigger system and more dispersal options; an air compressor to assist in reloading water and retardant; and the aircraft are now able to fly with the back end closed, keeping them pressurized and able to fly higher and operate more fuel efficiently.

"It's a great asset to the forest service for firefighting capabilities, bringing in the aerial assets," Ray said. "A lot of the civilian tankers right now are down for various maintenance reasons, so they rely on MAFFS as a backup firefighting force."

The training will encompass upgrade qualifications and include recurring and new training for the various crew positions.

MAFFS planes, accompanied by forest service lead planes, also flew from the Wyoming Air Guard base to Camp Guernsey to drop water loads.

"MAFFS is the most challenging training that we do," Ray said, "you really have to keep your skills sharp and your training current to make sure that you’re staying safe while fighting the fires."

MAFFS aircraft, crews conclude firefighting operations in Southwest

A MAFFS-equipped C-130 Hercules drops fire retardant, building a fire containment line in the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico. (U.S. Forest Service photo/Jennifer Myslivy)

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- After performing 242 sorties and dropping 609,960 gallons of fire retardant over the wildfires that have been burning in New Mexico and Arizona, Air Reserve Component personnel and their Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped aircraft concluded their mission July 13.

National Interagency Fire Center officials released the units along with the command and control element July 13, ending the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard support of Southwestern U.S. firefighting efforts that began when specially-equipped U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft began dropping retardant June 16.

Under the direction of the Joint Forces Air Component Commander for Air Forces Northern, since June, C-130s equipped with fire fighting capabilities deployed to Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., as part of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group. Command and control of the aircraft was provided by the 302nd AEG from Boise, Idaho.

"This has been an extremely busy fire season so far," said Lt. Col. Dave Condit, the deputy commander of the 302nd AEG. "We have exceeded our annual average of fire missions by more than 50 percent, and we are just now entering the part of the summer when we are typically first tasked.

"The team success over the past 30 days demonstrated the professionalism and effectiveness of the citizen Airmen who volunteer for this vital mission," Condit added.

Returning to home station July 14 were personnel and two MAFFS-equipped aircraft from the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing based at Peterson AFB, Colo. Other MAFFS units that participated in the firefighting efforts were the North Carolina ANG's 145th Airlift Wing and the California's ANG's 146th AW.

MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system, which can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than five seconds, drawing lines of containment that can cover an area one-quarter of a mile long by 60 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, the MAFFS system can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.

With the use of new MAFFS II units, this year's fire season was the first to successfully fly fire missions using a new concept of operations that increased the effectiveness while decreasing costs.

The MAFFS units are owned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, one of several federal and state government agencies and organizations with roles and responsibilities in wildland fire suppression that make up the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. The Department of Defense flew at the request of NIFC.

AFNORTH is the air component for U.S. Northern Command and when tasked, provides support to local, state, tribal, regional and federal emergency service agencies.

(Courtesy of 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

AFNORTH officials increase wildfire suppression support

by Tom Saunders, Air Forces Northern Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Air Forces Northern officials deployed two additional C-130 Hercules and an emergency planning liaison officer to support wildfire suppression efforts in the Southwestern United States.

Upon request from the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, the North Carolina Air National Guard 145th Airlift Wing sent two aircraft equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems aircraft to Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

The Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System is a self-contained aerial firefighting system, which can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than five seconds, covering an area .25 miles long by 60 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.

The MAFFS is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, one of several federal and state government agencies and organizations with roles and responsibilities in wildland fire suppression that comprises NIFC. The Department of Defense is flying at the request of NIFC.

The 145th AW aircraft were scheduled to begin operations June 19 and joined the two MAFFS-equipped aircraft that arrived from the California ANG146th Airlift Wing June 15.

Firefighting suppression flights began June 16 when the 145th AW flew four flights, dropping 12,000 gallons of retardant during seven drops.

The 302nd Air Expeditionary Group, which activated June 15 and is operating from NIFC's headquarters, will provide command and control of the MAFFS aircraft. The 302nd AEG is led by the Air Force Reserve Command 302nd Airlift Wing based at Peterson AFB, Colo. The group is comprises the 302nd AW, 145th AW and 146th AW and the Wyoming Air National Guard 153rd AW.

Additionally, AFNORTH's National Security Emergency Preparedness Directorate deployed Lt. Col. Scott Tagg, an AFNORTH emergency preparedness liaison officer from Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 10, to NIFC, June 16.

Colonel Tagg will advise federal, state and regional agencies on Air Force capabilities that may be used during wildfire suppression response.

Air Force EPLOs are senior Air Force Reserve officers who are subject matter experts in state and regional disaster response plans. EPLOs are geographically assigned to each state and the 10 FEMA Regional Coordination Centers. The officers come from a wide range of career fields including air operations, logistics, medical, security forces and public affairs.

The DOD, through the commander of U.S. Northern Command provides support to NIFC in conducting wildland fire fighting operations within the continental United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as approved by the Secretary of Defense.

AFNORTH is the air component for U.S. Northern Command and when tasked, provides support to local, state, tribal, regional and federal emergency service agencies.

Dyess Airmen assist with Texas wildfires

by Tech. Sgt. Robert Wollenberg, 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Members of the 7th Bomb Wing and 317th Airlift Group here are lending a helping hand in support of firefighting efforts throughout South Texas.

From logistics to meals to maintenance, Airmen here will support four C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and more than 60 crew members as they help battle wildfires under the direction of the Joint Forces Air Component Commander for Air Forces Northern at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

"Over the weekend, Dyess Airmen quickly responded to a call from Texas for wildfire support," said Col. James Murray, the 7th Mission Support Group commander. "In a matter of hours, the wing prepared for and received four specially configured C-130 aircraft and 80 aircrew and support personnel who will provide vital airborne fire fighting support to the state of Texas and surrounding areas. The aircraft will start flight operations (April 18), flying numerous missions to drop fire retardant agent on areas designated by the U.S. Forestry Service."

Two of the four aircraft are from the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing. The third is from the 153rd AW in Wyoming, and the fourth is from the 145th AW in North Carolina.

The MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system, which can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than five seconds, covering an area one-quarter-of-a-mile long by 60-feet wide. Once the load is discharged, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.

"Being able to provide airborne firefighting support to the citizens of Texas is job #1 for the MAFFS," said Brig. Gen Robert Branyon, the deputy Joint Forces Air Component commander. "Whether it's a humanitarian effort, evacuee assistance, search and rescue, or dropping food and medical supplies into unreachable areas, we're poised and ready to help in any way possible."

AFNORTH is the air component for U.S. Northern Command, and when tasked, provides support to local, state, tribal, regional and federal emergency service agencies.

"The wing has responded magnificently and we will continue to provide whatever the state of Texas needs to get these fires under control," Colonel Murray said. "We are ready to sustain their operations indefinitely, if required, to ensure property and lives are safe. Between the 7th BW and the 317th AG, we'll make sure they keep flying."

The MAFFS is owned by the USDA Forest Service, one of several federal and state government agencies and organizations with roles and responsibilities in wildland fire suppression that comprises the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

C-130s continue support of fire fighting efforts in Texas, Mexico

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Under the command of U.S. Northern Command, six C-130 Hercules aircraft, equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, continue to support firefighting efforts in Texas and Mexico.

Two of the C-130s, from the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., are deployed to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, at the request of the Mexican government to assist the Comisión Nacional Forestal control the wildfires in the Mexican state of Coahuila.

The other four C-130s, from the Wyoming, North Carolina and California Air National Guard, are deployed to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, to assist the National Interagency Fire Center in controlling fires in south Texas.

In support of fighting the fires in Coahuila, Department of Defense aircraft have completed 28 air drops using 63,000 gallons of retardant as of late April 19.

At the same time, DOD aircraft have made 32 air drops using 90,000 gallons of retardant while fighting the Texas fires.

"We realize that time is important to people who are facing very difficult and challenging times due to the fires, and we're committed to responding as efficiently and quickly as possible," said Col. Jack Pittman, the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group commander. "It's remarkable how all the agencies involved are able to work together in such a dynamic situation to provide timely and effective containment actions, and we're proud to support those agencies."

Guard members respond to brush fires in California

by Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems 2 aircraft from the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing at Channel Island ANG Station, Calif., responded to a fire July 15 in Riverside County, Calif.

Guard officials said the unit was requested by the U.S. Forest Service through the National Interagency Fire Center after lightning caused a brush fire near Temecula.

The two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft flew one sortie for almost two hours and dropped 3,000 gallons of fire retardant on what the Riverside County Fire Department dubbed the "Skinner fire."

More than a dozen fires broke out in the county, as powerful thunderstorms rolled across the region, National Weather Service officials said.

The fire had burned about 711 acres and was about 15 percent contained by late July 15, according to local news reports. Full containment was estimated for July 16.

Assistance by the military is normally requested when national civilian resources are committed to fires and more resources are needed, guard officials said. The 146th AW was called to respond to this fire, because it needs 13 drops on actual fires for certification on the new MAFFS 2 system.

The unit was the first to transition to the MAFFS 2 system in 2008, and it remains the only unit flying the new system on the C-130J Super Hercules.

MAFFS 2 systems incorporate new design features and technology that provide a number of advantages over the legacy MAFFS systems, including improvements in fire retardant coverage level, improved safety features, reduction of corrosion of the aircraft and an on-board compressor.

MAFFS is a portable fire retardant delivery system that is rolled into the back of the C-130J Super Hercules cargo compartment. The system is capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant or water on wildfires. They can discharge their entire load in under five seconds.

Along with the 146th AW, there are three other MAFFS units, including the Wyoming ANG's 153rd AW, the North Carolina ANG's 145th AW, and the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd AW, based in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Since 1974, National Guard and Air Force Reserve pilots have flown 6,500 firefighting missions, dropping 167 million pounds of fire retardant around the western U.S., officials said.

California Guard Gets Green Light for New Airborne Firefighting System

By Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith, Special to American Forces Press Service

A California Air National Guard C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft from the 146th Airlift Wing releases water in a test of a new modular airborne firefighting system Jan. 28, 2009. The 146th is the first unit to be approved for use of the new MAFFS II system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dave Buttner)

ARLINGTON, Va. - A long-anticipated upgrade to the modular airborne firefighting system that's used to battle the nation's wildfires recently was approved for operational use.

The approval comes months before the next fire season, National Guard Bureau officials said.

MAFFS II, as the new system is known, was approved for use on the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft.

The state has two of the new systems, which were showcased Jan. 30 to state officials and local media at McClellan Air Park in Sacramento, Calif.

MAFFS modules are owned by the U.S. Forest Service and are flown on Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130 aircraft. Guard and Reserve wings, state governors and firefighting and federal agencies team up to operate MAFFS nationwide in wildfire responses. The aircraft and crews always are ready to deploy in anticipation of a state emergency, officials said.

"This new system is more capable; it can make a more effective [wildfire] retardant line and is more efficient," said Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Dave Condit, deputy commander of the MAFFS Expeditionary Air Group, which overseas three Air National Guard wings and one Air Force Reserve wing. "For those two reasons combined, we hope it's a more effective resource for fighting wildfires."

The system's orange-colored mixture of fire retardant and water coats fuel sources such as dry grass, brush and trees to keep a fire from spreading.

Condit said seven aircrews are trained in the new system and certified by the Forest Service.

MAFFS II eventually will replace all of the wings' older systems, Condit said.

"We hope that throughout this 2009 wildfire season, we will fully integrate the new equipment on all MAFFS aircraft," he said. He added that the older systems will be stored and kept ready to use on a moment's notice. The wildfire season comprises spring and summer.

Bringing MAFFS II to the fire line has taken "huge amounts" of cross-agency coordination and cooperation among MAFFS II designers at Aero Union, the Forest Service, the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Stoddard, Air National Guard MAFFS spokesman, said. "This capability is going to increase our nation's ability to protect itself against wildfires."

California has not had a firefighting capability on its C-130s since late 2006, which caused public concern over the ability to protect the state from wildfires, officials said. In 2008, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a letter to President George W. Bush asking that the state's Air Guard have MAFFS II for its wildfire response.

"This [MAFFS] asset is an important federal resource that we have relied upon in the past," Schwarzenegger wrote.

That year, California "suffered severe fires ... driven by high temperatures, dry conditions, and strong Santa Ana winds," according to National Climatic Data Center reports. "Mid-November fires ravaged much of Southern California, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of dwellings."

To support California, the nation's three remaining MAFFS wings -- the Wyoming Air Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing, the North Carolina Air Guard's 145th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing in Colorado flew numerous fire retardant drops.

Condit said the arrival of MAFFS II in California will add to the state's critical wildfire assets. "Having that extra key member back again and fully capable is a big plus for the organization," he said.

Third Reserve C-130 joins California wildfire fight

by Senior Airman Stephen Collier, 302nd Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

An Air Force Reserve Command C-130 Hercules taxies toward the runway as another C-130 launches for a firefighting mission June 29 at McClellan Airfield in Sacramento, Calif. The aircraft are deployed from the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson AFB, Colo., and assigned to the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group that is fighting the Corral and Piute fires in California. As of 2:30 p.m. June 29, aircrews launched eight missions against the fires, dropping 24,000 gallons of fire retardant. The 302nd AEG includes the 302nd AW, and two Air National Guard units from the 153rd Airlift Wing from Cheyenne, Wyo., and the 145th Airlift Wing from Charlotte, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Collier)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AFPN) -- A third Air Force Reserve Command C-130H Hercules was dispatched June 27 to help fight raging wild fires in California.

Officials from the 302nd Airlift Wing from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., sent the additional airplane and crews to join the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group at McClellan Airfield in Sacramento to help battle the northern California Corral and Piute fires.

As of June 29, Airmen at McClellan Airfield launched their fourth day of missions in support of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's war against California wildfires. The fires are the result of lightning strikes that blanketed most of the state June 21.

The Corral fire, located about 200 miles north of Sacramento, is more than 10,000 acres wide and is 5 percent contained with some structures are threatened. The Piute fire, which started June 28, is more than 260 miles south of Sacramento. That fire is uncontrolled, raging throughout the Sequoia National Forest near Lake Isabella. Fire officials are reporting that structures are being threatened by this fire.

More than 5,400 lives are being threatened by both fires. Fire information is current as of 2 p.m. June 29.

The C-130s carry the Modular Airborne Firefighting System, known as MAFFS, and are capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant per mission. The 302nd AEG has eight C-130s under its command and will launch as many missions as California officials require to contain the wildfires.

Aircrews have dropped approximately 117,000 gallons of fire retardant since airborne missions began June 26. Members and aircraft of the 302nd AEG are based at the Sacramento-area airfield, which allows these military transport aircraft to fly with maximum fuel loads and MAFFS to operate with full fire retardant capability. Aircrews and C-130 support members come from Charlotte, N.C., Cheyenne, Wyo., Colorado Springs, Colo.

Airmen are deployed here in support of California firefighters and the National Interagency Fire Center to battle wildfires in the state. For more information on fires throughout California, visit www.nifc.gov or www.fire.ca.gov.

Citizen Airmen prepare for war on fire

by Senior Airman Stephen Collier, 302nd Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

Approximately 3,000 gallons of fire retardant can be deployed from the C-130 Hercules when fighting fires. Air Force Reserve Command officials recently sent two of its designated firefighting C-130H3 Hercules aircraft to help battle the raging wildfires in California. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Roy. A. Santana)

CHICO, Calif. (AFPN) -- Airmen, deployed to California for firefighting support, are getting ready to take the fight to nature's fury.

"I'm proud both the Air Force Reserve and (Air National Guard) are able to support such a vital national mission," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Bailey, a loadmaster with the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. "Airborne firefighting from the C-130 Hercules aircraft can support the guys on the ground in containing and extinguishing uncontrolled fires, while saving lives and people's property at the same time."

A Colorado Springs native, Sergeant Bailey has been fighting back fires in the Western U.S. for more than three years. To aide in fighting these fires, the 302nd AW, an Air Force Reserve Command unit, uses the modular airborne firefighting system which has the capability of dropping up to 3,000 pounds of water or fire retardant at one time. Three other units supporting the MAFFS mission belong to Air National Guard, including the 146th AW, based out of Charlotte, N.C.; the 153rd AW, from Cheyenne, Wyo.; and the Channel Islands based in Ventura, Calif.

Asked how he prepares himself for firefighting missions, Sergeant Bailey said his constant training and his state of mental readiness helps make him ready to perform this vital mission.

"Our unit is always ready and eagerly awaits the call to deploy and fight these fires," said Sergeant Bailey. "Just the thought of having the chance to make a difference is an adrenaline rush."

But it's not just the aircrew who shoulders the responsibility of saving the lives of California residents this day. Maintenance crews from the 302nd Maintenance Group have worked around-the-clock to ensure these Reserve C-130s' propellers turn; flaps move.

"We're ready and willing," said Master Sgt Jeffrey Hardsock, a C-130 aircraft maintainer. "No matter how well the planes are flying, the maintainers are the backbone of the operations and keep the birds in the sky."

Sergeant Hardsock, who has participated in the MAFFS mission since 1995, said he keeps his mental focus on two things: the safety of his crew, and to do the job the way he was trained.

Once maintainers signal an aircraft is ready for flight, it's up to the aircrew to deliver what each hopes is the fatal blow to the wildfire. One member of the Peterson-based aircrew, Lt. Col. James Banker, said he's looking forward taking on these devastating fires.

"I've done this mission for 13 years," said Colonel Banker, a seasoned C-130 pilot. "Some years we fly a lot, some years we don't fly at all."

As the colonel does his walk around, inspecting the aircraft prior to take off, he methodically checks the plane as he does for every mission, he said.

"As a pilot, I know the aircraft has been inspected by the engineer and inspected several times by the crew chiefs. They know the risks involved with this mission and give it their all to provide us with the best equipment possible," Colonel Banker said.

The Air Force has a total of eight MAFFS units. The aircraft operate through U.S. Northern Command, which plans, organizes and executes homeland defense and civil support missions based on an agreement with the Department of Defense.

Reserve C-130s helping fight California fires

Two Air Force Reserve Command C-130 Hercules aircraft, equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems like this C-130 dropping water during annual MAFFS training in New Mexico, have been dispatched to help battle wildfires in California. The aircraft are from the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rick Sforza)

Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing here has launched two firefighting C-130 Hercules aircraft to battle the raging wildfires in southern California.

Two additional C-130s also are going to support the operation.

National Interagency Fire Center officials in Boise, Idaho, requested Department of Defense assistance in fighting the fires which put the wheels in motion for mobilization of the reservists from Peterson.

Crews from the 302nd AW loaded the Modular Airborne Firefighting System equipment onto two of their C-130 cargo aircraft. The unit will furnish enough crews to sustain its two firefighting aircraft throughout each daylight hour to help battle wildland fires currently ravaging national forest and private properties in California.

Last year, the 302nd's MAFFS mission at Peterson was activated by the U.S. Forest Service to fight wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. The 302nd flew 18 sorties against fires in Idaho, Nevada and Oregon, dropping 48,600 gallons of retardant.