Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber | Airmen from the 152nd Maintenance and Logistics Readiness Squadron, Nevada Air...... read more read more
U.S. Northern Command has activated eight C-130 aircraft equipped with Modular Aerial Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) and associated personnel to relocate from their home stations to the Channel Islands in Southern California to support firefighting efforts in the Los Angeles area. Some of the aircraft will be operational beginning Jan. 10, with all ready by or before Jan. 12. The 152nd Airlift Wing’s “High Rollers” will report on January 11.
The safety of the public, communities and all front-line responders remains the highest priority for all wildland fire agencies. The primary response strategy continues to be aggressive using local area resources from all partners. Our goal is rapid containment to minimize these large wildfires burning in the area. Having military C-130s that can be converted into airtankers provides a critical “surge” capability that can be used to bolster suppression efforts when commercial airtankers are fully committed or not readily available.
“U.S. Northern Command immediately took action as we watched and learned more about the fires in the Los Angeles area. Providing support to civil authorities is a valued part of our homeland defense mission. We’re well-practiced and in position to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Interagency Firefighting Center (NIFC), and the state of California to assist the many citizens in need,” said General Gregory Guillot, Commander of U.S. Northern Comm
The High Rollers were activated last firefighting season from July 18, 2024-August 30, 2024, flying 74 sorties, accomplishing 77 drops accumulating 207,109 gallons of fire retardant.
“The 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, is ready to assist in protecting the people, homes, and businesses in southern California.,” said Col. Catherine Grush, the Commander of the 152nd Airlift Wing. “Californians are not only our neighbors, but part of our family of guardsmen and women and we are honored to help assist with this effort.”
Air tankers are used to help build lines of containment with retardant to help reduce the intensity and slow the growth of wildland fires. Dispatch centers deploy aircraft to drop fire retardant based on requests from civilian Incident Commanders.
The MAFFS program is a joint effort between the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense (DoD). The U.S. Forest Service owns the MAFFS equipment and supplies the fire retardant, while the DoD provides the C-130 H and J model aircraft, flight crews, and maintenance and support personnel to fly the missions. The MAFFS aircraft can drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than 10 seconds across a quarter-mile line. The system slides into the back of the military aircraft, and retardant is released through a nozzle on the rear left side.
For more information on Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/planes/maffs
For background photos and videos of the MAFFS program, visit: www.dvidshub.net/feature/MAFFSAEG; Also, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/LaWildfires25
For background photos and videos of the MAFFS program, visit: www.dvidshub.net/feature/MAFFSAEG; Also, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/LaWildfires25
WHAT: 152nd Airlift Wing Activated for Modular Airborne Firefighting in Southern California Fires
WHO: Nevada Air National Guard Airmen
WHEN: January 11, 2025 (depart Reno)
WHERE: Channel Islands Air National Guard Base located at Port Hueneme, California
MEDIA: Call Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber (775) 788-4515
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| Date Taken: | 01.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2025 12:29 |
| Story ID: | 488900 |
| Location: | RENO, NEVADA, US |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing Activated for Firefighting to assist in the greater Los Angeles area, by SMSgt Paula Macomber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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