Mexican general gets firsthand look at MAFFS

by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs

10/31/2012 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, 302nd Airlift Wing Chief of Aerial Fire Fighting, shows Gen. Guillermo Galvan Galvan, Secretary of National Defense, Mexico, a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System unit during a tour here Oct. 19.

More than 30 Air Force Reservists and two MAFFS-equipped C-130s from the 302nd AW flew MAFFS missions to suppress a 245,000 acre wildfire in northern Mexico in April, 2011. The tour was part of Galvan's last visit as Secretary of National Defense before he steps down from his position Dec. 1.

As part of the visit, Galvan visited with local community organizations. After speaking at a gathering of NORAD and USNORTHCOM members, honors were rendered in front the headquarters, where Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander presented Galvan with an engraved artillery casing and the Mexican flag flown in front of the building.

Galvan is credited with enhancing the partnership between SEDENA (The Mexican Secretariat of National Defense) and USNORTHCOM which is essential in the fight against transnational criminal organizations. This partnership in the counter-TCO mission is one of USNORTHCOM's top priorities, and the command is committed to working together with the Mexican military against TCOs.