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.