Colorado Reserve C-130s rejoin aerial fire fighting efforts

by Ann Skarban
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- An Air Force Reserve Command Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130, aircrew and support personnel will rejoin aerial fire fighting efforts in the Northwestern U.S. today.

Approximately 10 Air Force reservists from the 302nd Airlift Wing here will partner with a Wyoming Air National Guard C-130 crew in support of the U.S. Forest Service fire containment operations in Boise, Idaho. A second 302nd AW MAFFS-equipped C-130 and crew is also expected to deploy to Boise next week.

The Department of Defense's MAFFS C-130s and crews initially activated June 11 to assist in fighting fires in Southern Colorado after the U.S. Forest Service sent a request for assistance to the DOD though U.S. Northern Command. Since activating, MAFFS aircraft have made 179 drops on fires in Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho using 437,631 gallons of fire retardant.

The 302nd AW ended its initial activation July 7 after providing support to wildland fires in Colorado and Arizona. The July inactivation and this reactivation are 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 four MAFFS wings typically follow a monthly rotation schedule. In August, the 302nd is at the top of the list for MAFFS support. We can and will adapt the proposed schedule as needs arise," said Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, chief of aerial fire fighting for the 302nd Airlift Wing.

The MAFFS-equipped C-130s 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.

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 fire fighting 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.