herkfixer Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 With the recent outbreak of fires in Colorado the 302nd Airlift Wing was activated and will start flying missions against the "Black Forest" fire just north/northeast of Colorado Springs. As of this morning the fire was estimated at 8,500 acres and has destroyed 40 to 60 homes. Last year they were fighting the "Waldo Canyon" fire around the same time of year. Another one right in their own "backyard" Seems like fire season gets earlier and earlier each year in the West. There are currently 5 fires in Colorado this morning, with temps in the upper 90's to 100's, low humidity! 73, Rex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerfManJ Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 302 AW has been busy since last week. Flying a lot even while some of the crew members' homes were under threat of the Black Forest fire. Keep up the good work. http://www.302aw.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123352564 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herkfixer Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 The 146th AW was activated this week and flew to Peterson AFB, CO. to assist the 302nd AW with fires in Colorado. http://www.302aw.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123353551 Thats 4 of the 8 MAFFS birds flying. 73, Rex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herkfixer Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 Most of you have probably seen or heard about the "Black Forest Fire" The final figures were 511 houses destroyed and 13 outbuildings destroyed, this is now the most destructive fire in Colorado History! The "Waldo Canyon" fire last year held the record for less than 1 year until this the "Black Forest" beat it. Unless the monsoons rains come in July its going to be a hot and very active fire season in Colorado. Temps the next few days in the mid 90's. 73, Rex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerfManJ Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 With all the wildfire activity in the past few years, has USAF looked at expanding the MAFFS mission beyond a handful of ANG units? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herkfixer Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 The US Forest Service actually owns the MAFFS units, they only bought 8 of the MAFFS II platforms. The company that built them is now out of business. The Air Force lends them the airframes. The Units flying the MAFFS missions are Air Force Reserve (1 unit, 302 AW) and Air National Guard (3 units) one from Wyoming 153 AW, one from North Carolina 145 AW, one from Channel Islands, California 146 AW. 73, Rex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalbasher Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 The US Forest Service actually owns the MAFFS units, they only bought 8 of the MAFFS II platforms. The company that built them is now out of business. The Air Force lends them the airframes. The Units flying the MAFFS missions are Air Force Reserve (1 unit, 302 AW) and Air National Guard (3 units) one from Wyoming 153 AW, one from North Carolina 145 AW, one from Channel Islands, California 146 AW. 73, Rex Only 7 MAFFS II units now with the loss of the acft, crew and MAFFS unit. Channel Islands flies Js while everyone else is still flying Hs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herkfixer Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Only 7 MAFFS II units now with the loss of the acft, crew and MAFFS unit. Channel Islands flies Js while everyone else is still flying Hs. The other units are flying C-130H-3's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerfManJ Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I toured one of the Channel Islands J's with MAFFS II installed when it stopped by the plant in Marietta a few years ago. Pretty cool setup with the nozzle protruding from the paratroop door. Did the someone buy the plans for the MAFFS II system when Aero Union went under? According to the auction notice all the intellectual property was up for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.