#MAFFS: #USFS Request modified for four WILDFIRE FIGHTING C-130s

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

#MAFFS: #USFS Request modified for four WILDFIRE FIGHTING C-130s

The U.S. Forest Service has modified its request for assistance for the MAFFS-equipped C-130s.

New U.S. Forest Service request, received late yesterday, releases two of the six C-130s using Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems to assist with wildfires.

The 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard uses a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft in support of the Waldo Canyon wild fire suppresion efforts near Colorado Springs, Colo on June 27, 2012. Four MAFFS-equipped aircraft, two from the 153rd and two from the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing flew in support of the U.S. Forest Service to fight fires in Colorado. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stephany D. Richards)

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The C-130s have been stationed at Hill Air Force Base, in Utah, and at Boise Air Terminal, in Idaho, for the last week. The request for assistance was modified due to the decrease in fire activity in the West.

The two aircraft from the 153rd Airlift Wing will return to their home station of Cheyenne, Wyo. The California Air National Guard’s two C-130s, from the 146th Airlift Wing, will move from Utah and begin operations in Boise, joining the 302nd Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, from Colorado Springs, Colo.

“Although the new request for assistance reduces the operational requirement down to four aircraft, the remaining MAFFS units will maintain their ability to quickly ramp up again if needed," said Col. Jerry Champlin, 153rd Air Expeditionary Group commander.

The MAFFS crews did not drop any retardant on fires over the weekend and made five drops on two fires yesterday. Since being activated June 25, the MAFFS fleet has completed more than 250 drops, releasing more than 641,000 gallons of retardant on Rocky Mountain area fires.

MAFFS are operated by four military units: The 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard; 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard; 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard; and the 302nd Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command.

Four airmen assigned to the 145th died July 1 during a MAFFS mission assisting with firefighting efforts on the White Draw fire, in S.D. The incident currently is under investigation.

The MAFFS program is a joint effort between the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense. The forest service owns the MAFFS equipment and supplies the retardant. DoD provides the C-130 aircraft, pilots, maintenance and support personnel to fly the mission.

MAFFS provides a surge capability that can be used to boost wildfire suppression efforts when commercial airtankers are fully committed or not readily available.

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 5 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.

For More Information Contact:
146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard, Channel Islands, Calif. - For questions specific to the 146th Airlift Wing, please contact Maj. Kimberly Holman at 805-340-7301.
For questions specific to the 302nd Airlift Wing, please contact Mrs. Ann Skarban at 719-556-4005.

153rd Airlift Wing, 153rd Air Expeditionary Group, Wyoming Air National Guard, Cheyenne, Wyo. - For questions specific to the 153rd Airlift Wing, please contact Ms. Deidre Forster at 307-631-4153. For questions specific to the 153 AEG public affairs, please contact: Deidre Forster, deidre.forster@us.army.mil; 307-631-4153.

302nd Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, Colorado Springs, Colo. - For questions specific to the 302nd Airlift Wing, please contact Ann Skarban at 719-556-4005.
145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, Charlotte, N.C.

ORIGINAL #NORTHCOM PRESS RELEASE: July 17, 2012 - link

MAFFS RELATED STORY: MAFFS crews train for mountain fire fighting scenarios

California Fire News 2012

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Wednesday, July 18, 2012