U.S. Air National Guard Maj. John-Mark Koetitz, a pilot with the 115th Airlift Squadron, pilots a California National Guard MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) equipped C-130J Super Hercules over the Hughes Fire in Castaic, California, Jan. 22, 2025. All 8 MAFFS C-130s assigned to the aerial firefighting mission were launched in support to CAL FIRE wildland firefighting operations in Southern California. Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) are the U.S. Forest Service’s portable fire-retardant delivery systems and can be inserted into military C-130 aircraft without major structural modifications to convert them into airtankers when needed.
They can discharge their entire load of up to 3,000 gallons of retardant...
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.
