Colorado National Guard conducts aviation wildland fire training to support partners

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Nicole Manzanares | Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews with aircraft, equipped with aerial water buckets, from the Chief Warrant Officer 5 David R. Carter Army Aviation Support Facility based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, depart the Spring Fire helibase, in Fort Garland, Colo., to support fire suppression efforts July 3, 2018. The team arrived and began operations July 2. The CONG has supported the Spring Fire since July 1, 2018, providing capabilities to include: security personnel for traffic control points and roving patrols; two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews and aircraft each equipped with aerial water buckets; geological information system operators; as well as, refueling crews with Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical refueling trucks and firefighters with HEMTT firefighting vehicles. The CONG has been providing an aviation search and rescue standby capability in support of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center since July 1. The High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site facility in Gypsum, Colorado, is supporting the mission which is rapid response to aviation search and rescue missions, primarily for firefighter safety, in support of multiple wildfire responses throughout Colorado. On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force - Centennial commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in assisting Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicole Manzanares)  

CENTENNIAL, COLORADO, UNITED STATES

04.01.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. Joseph VonNida 

Colorado National Guard

FOR RELEASE: April 1, 2019

CONTACT: Colorado National Guard Public Affairs, 720-250-1058, [e-mail]


CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Colorado Army National Guard’s 2nd Brigade 135th General Support Aviation Battalion, based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, will host an annual wildland fire training conference in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and local and state partners April 2-7, 2019, in preparation for wildfire season.

Emergency Management Assistance Compact partners Nebraska National Guard and Kansas National Guard will also participate in the training.

“This wildland fire training conference ensures the highest level of readiness of our forces to support our local, state, and federal partners during the upcoming wildfire season,” Director of Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White said. “This training will help save lives, reduce suffering, and prevent extensive property damage across our region during the coming months.”

During the training, citizens may see and hear military helicopters in the vicinity of BAFB and near local reservoirs during daylight hours.

In addition to aerial operations, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and Boulder Fire will provide academic training at the Chief Warrant Officer 5 David R. Carter Army Aviation Support Facility at BAFB.
Training will cover fire behavior, fire shelters, and air space coordination.
USFS will certify pilots participating in aerial firefighting training.

Aerial training will occur at:
- Button Rock Reservoir, Lyons, Colorado, April 2-3
- Button Rock Reservoir; Strontia Springs Reservoir; Littleton, Colorado; and Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Colorado, April 5-7
- Weather contingency days are reserved for April 8-14

Months of planning have included coordination with local authorities for site locations, movement of equipment, and environmental considerations.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2019
• Date Posted: 04.05.2019 18:28
• Story ID: 316439
• Location: CENTENNIAL, COLORADO, US