Farris praises wing for MAFFS support, sees mission firsthand

by Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/17/2012 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- With the Waldo Canyon Fire finally out, the 302nd Airlift Wing received praise and support for their involvement in aerial fire fighting from Maj. Gen. Wallace W. "Wade" Farris, Jr., during his visit to the wing July 14 here.

Farris, 22nd Air Force commander, parent organization to the 302nd AW, traveled to Colorado to see the wing's mission firsthand, especially after the high operations tempo during the Waldo Canyon Fire call up. The general had an opportunity to see and meet Airmen from several of the wing's squadrons, including the 302nd Logistics Readiness, Maintenance, Aeromedical Staging, Aerial Port and Force Support Squadrons as well as the 302nd Communications Flight.

Commenting on the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or "MAFFS" mission, Farris said the aerial firefighting mission is "always important to many communities around the country, especially out west where fires are simply a fact of life."

"Obviously, that (MAFFS) mission became extremely important in Colorado Springs as fires were burning right in your backyard and many of our folks in the 302nd (AW) had to evacuate and saw their neighbor's homes go up in flames," Farris said. "And the response from our folks for that fire was outstanding. Every time I turn around I hear another story of some outstanding performance of folks working in the 100-plus degree temperatures on the ramp or our fuels folks servicing the MAFFS aircraft in as little as 15 minutes. That's just an outstanding response. The fact they that helped contain the fire and kept it from burning down more houses and doing more damage than it did was huge."

Farris continued by pointing out it was much more than just the C-130 aerial firefighting mission that defined the volunteerism of the 302nd AW.

"Something else that struck me about the 302nd (AW) during this emergency was how folks took in evacuees in the spirit of cooperation so folks didn't have to go to the shelters. It must have meant a lot to those who evacuated and I'm sure it did. So the whole response from the 302nd (AW) made me proud to be a Reservist and proud to be its (numbered air force) commander. This wing should definitely hold its head high after these last couple of weeks."

The general also presented his commander's coin to a number of Airmen who had gone above and beyond in their respective organizations. Staff Sgt. Timothy Parker, a logistics plans specialist with the 302nd LRS, and one of those Airmen who received a coin, said it meant a lot to him because he's "never met someone that high ranking before."

"It was an honor [to meet the general] and you never really think about that until it happens," he said. "I could never have gotten this recognition without my squadron and my commander giving me the support I needed."

Farris, who has served in the Air Force since 1974, also pointed out that despite ongoing budget cuts and other adversities in the Air Force, he could still see the "sense of pride in doing the job" of an Air Force Reservist.

"With all our units in 22nd Air Force, the motivation and enthusiasm is everywhere. Stepping in when need be to deploy, taking care of a fire in your backyard or even when you need to go somewhere else to fight a fire, our Airmen are still willing and eager to step up to the job and that always impresses and energizes me when I visit the units and listen to our Airmen talk. Their concerns are 'how can I train better,' 'when can I deploy' and 'what can I do more to be a better Airman.' That always makes me feel good and gives me a lot of confidence."