DOD increases C-130 support for California fires

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs
  • 302nd AIrlift Wing
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The National Interagency Fire Center has made the request to increase the number of DOD Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130s aiding in the suppression of California wildland fires from two to four Aug. 14.

Two Air Force Reserve MAFFS equipped C-130 Hercules from the 302nd Airlift Wing here along with aircrews and support personnel from the Colorado Reserve wing have been activated and performing fire-fighting missions from McClellan Air Field, California, since Aug. 3. The Air Force Reserve C-130s will be joined by aircraft and crews from the 153rd AW, Wyoming Air National Guard and the 145th AW, North Carolina ANG.

As of Aug. 12, reserve aircrews have made 91 drops, discharging 219,705 gallons of retardant to aid in the suppression of fires in California to include the Rocky, Jerusalem, Fork, River, Mad, Music and Route fires.

"We've received a lot of feedback from the firefighters on the ground and in the air that our planes and crews are doing great in the fight to save homes and property. The fire season is peaking with active fires simultaneously spreading throughout many western states. This is stretching resources thin. And, there's a long way to go. Right now, everyone is 'heads down', giving 110 percent, and focused on the fight," said Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, 302nd AW chief of aerial fire fighting.

This was the first MAFFS activation for the 302nd AW in 2015. The August activation is part of the normal duty rotation shared by the three Air National Guard wings and one Air Force Reserve wing that fly the MAFFS mission.

The MAFFS-equipped C-130s are operated by four military airlift wings: The 153rd AW, Wyoming Air National Guard; 146th AW, California ANG; 145th AW, North Carolina ANG; and the 302nd AW.

MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system, owned by the U.S. Forest Service, that 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 100 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.

The DOD, through U.S. Northern Command at Peterson AFB, provides unique military support to firefighting efforts when requested by the National Interagency Fire Center and approved by the Secretary of Defense. These diverse mission assets are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to protect lives, property, critical infrastructure and natural resources, and can include, but are not limited to, MAFFS, military helicopters and ground forces capable of supporting the firefighting efforts.