Colorado National Guard supports civil authorities with aerial water bucket operations at Black Bridge Fire

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

04.05.2019

Courtesy Story

Colorado National Guard

The Colorado National Guard is supporting Bent County fire suppression efforts near Las Animas, Colorado, at the request of local authorities.

The two Colorado Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and eight crew members from 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion 135th Aviation Regiment were already participating in annual wildfire bucket training.

“Our Colorado National Guard members are on scene supporting local responders to suppress a growing wildfire,” Director of the Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White said. “We are here to help save lives, minimize suffering, and protect property in this Colorado community.”

The COARNG helicopter crews were training with the Colorado Fire Prevention and Control and the U.S. Forest Service and local partners when the teams were requested and diverted to support civil authorities with real-world firefighting efforts at the Black Bridge Fire.

The helicopters and crews, equipped with aerial water buckets, are from the Chief Warrant Officer 5 David R. Carter Army Aviation Support Facility based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.

File photos: Colorado National Guard firefighting: http://bit.ly/1bvVyfb
File video: National Guard firefighting: http://bit.ly/KZQeZI
B-roll:
Bambi-Bucket® drops, Black Forest fire: http://bit.ly/11N6Fiq
Bambi-Bucket® drops, High Park fire: http://bit.ly/17H61HJ
Fact sheets:
UH-60 Black Hawk: http://1.usa.gov/6kraJa
Joint Task Force-Centennial: http://bit.ly/14znsH4
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• Date Taken: 04.05.2019
• Date Posted: 04.05.2019 18:29
• Story ID: 317149
• Location: CENTENNIAL, COLORADO, US