Showing posts with label WESTERN WILDFIRES 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WESTERN WILDFIRES 2012. Show all posts

Thursday, July 5, 2012

C-130 AIRCRAFT CREWS CONTINUE FIGHTING FIRES


Photo:  Colorado Wildfire.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force.



FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE



Military C-130 Crews Continue Firefighting Efforts

Compiled from U.S. Northern Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, July 5, 2012 - In 123 airdrop missions since they were called into action to battle fires in the Rocky Mountain region and other western locales, Defense Department C-130s equipped with the U.S. Forest Service's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System had discharged more than 320,000 gallons of retardant as of early today, U.S. Northern Command officials reported.

The aircraft are under Northcom's command and control and are participating in the firefighting effort at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

C-130 efforts yesterday centered on the Squirrel Creek Fire, three miles west of Woods Landing, Wyo., officials said, discharging about 50,600 gallons of retardant during 18 missions flown in a 15-hour span.

On July 3, crews flew 16 airdrop missions over 22 hours, discharging about 41,250 gallons of retardant.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA PRAISES AIRMEN FIREFIGHTERS




FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Obama Praises Airmen for Firefighting Efforts, Bravery
President Barack Obama reflected on the sacrifices made by airmen fighting wildfires in the Rocky Mountain region, calling them “heroes who deserve the appreciation of a grateful nation.” Obama made the statement in Washington, D.C., July 2, 2012, following the crash of a North Carolina Air National Guard C-130 aircraft flown by a crew battling a South Dakota wildfire.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

C-130 MODULAR AIRBORNE FIREFIGHTING SYSTEM FLEET RESUMES OPERATIONS



Photo:  C130 Aircraft Fighting Wildfire.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force.
FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
From a U.S. Northern Command News Release
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., July 3, 2012 – The military’s C-130 Modular Airborne Fire-Fighting System fleet will resume operations today to support the National Interagency Fire Center and its firefighters battling wildfires in several states, U.S. Northern Command officials said.
Operational flying was suspended yesterday to review flying and safety procedures after the July 1 crash of a MAFFS C-130 while fighting South Dakota's White Draw Fire. An official investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Monday, July 2, 2012

MORE AIRCRAFT SENT TO FIGHT WILDFIRES


FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 aircraft from the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing based at Channel Islands, arrives at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo., June 30, 2012. The 146th's C-130 is one of four MAFFS-equipped aircraft joining four other military aircraft already operating out of Peterson to conduct wildfire suppression missions in Colorado and other western states. The eight aircraft constitute the entire U.S. military MAFFS-equipped fleet. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher  

More Aircraft Arrive to Combat Western Wildfires
WASHINGTON, July 1, 2012 - Eight Department of Defense C-130 aircraft equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems now are assisting in multi-agency efforts to control wildfires in Colorado and other western states, according to a U.S. Northern Command news release update issued today.

Four of these MAFFS-equipped aircraft arrived yesterday at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., joining four other aircraft there that have been flying wildfire suppression missions in the Rocky Mountain region, the Northcom release said.

The National Interagency Fire Center based in Boise, Idaho, requested the aircraft support from the Defense Department, according to the release.

The eight aircraft are under Northcom command and control and all, at present, are being based at Peterson, which is in Colorado Springs, according to the release.
Northcom, based at Peterson, partners with other agencies to conduct homeland defense, civil support and security cooperation to defend and secure the United States and its interests.

Military units now supporting C-130 aircraft wildfire suppression missions flown from Peterson are: the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing, based at Peterson; the Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing, from Cheyenne; the North Carolina Air National Guard's 145th Airlift Wing, from Charlotte; and the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing, from Channel Islands.

As of early today, DOD aircraft have conducted 73 air drops and discharged more than 190,000 gallons of flame retardant during wildfire suppression missions in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota, the Northcom release said.

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