U.S. Air National Guard Maj. Cameron Shepard and Capt. Carlos Puga, assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing, perform wildland fire fighting operations inside a C-130J Super Hercules equipped with the MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) over the Hughes Fire near Castaic, California, Jan. 24, 2025. 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. Wildland Firefighting is part of U.S. Northern Command’s Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission. (U.S. Air National Guard...
Airmen from the 163d Mission Support Group set up 14 tents to house 49th Military Police Brigade Soldiers during ongoing support efforts for the Palisades Fire response.
The 163d Attack Wing leadership is well on its way to implementing an A-Staff to bolster commanders’ decision-making capabilities, enhance command and control of wing operations, and integrate as a total-force partner.
