C-130 News: New system to help battle massive Nevada wildfires

[casey]

Nevada will soon have one of four groups equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems to help battle large-scale wildland fires in the region, according to the National Guard Bureau.

The Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing is set to begin outfitting its C-130 aircraft with the system for firefighting missions nationwide.

The decision brings firefighting capabilities to the unit, which sits in the largest national forest in the lower 48 states, Tech. Sgt. Emerson Marcus, of the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing, said in a news release on Friday. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has been prone to massive fires in recent years, Marcus said.

The MAFFS equipment can discharge 3,000 gallons, or 28,000 pounds, of retardant in less than five seconds. That covers an area one-quarter of a mile long and 60 feet wide, Marcus said.

Once discharged, it can be refilled and crews can become airborne in less than 20 minutes.

"This is another recognition of the capabilities and accomplishments of the men and women of the Nevada National Guard, the pride of Nevada," Gov. Brian Sandoval said in a statement Friday. "This is good news for the High Rollers of the 152nd Airlift Wing, the state, recently fire-ravaged western regions and the nation."

Since 1974, the U.S. forest Service and the Department of Defense worked in a joint effort to insert a fire retardant delivery system into C-130 aircrafts.

The U.S. Forest Service owns MAFFS equipment and provides retardant for battling fires. The Department of Defense also provides C-130 aircrafts, flight crews and maintenance and support personnel to missions.

“Nevada is in a perfect location to service the vast majority of Western states due to its central location,” Nevada National Guard Adjutant General Brig. Gen. William Burks said in a statement. “This is huge for the High Rollers and shows that all of their hard work throughout the entire organization pays benefits in the long run.”

The 152 Airlift Wing is set to begin the transition with U.S. Forest Service MAFFS training on May 1 at Channel Island, Calif. The transition is expected to take three to five fire seasons.

A planned conversion of a MAFFS unit from C-130 to the C-17 in the North Carolina Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing prompted the bureau to evaluate existing C-130 Air National Guard units for replacement.

Bureau officials said all National Guard C-130 units were considered.

"This is a critical and challenging mission we've wanted for many years now," Col. Karl Stark, the commander of the 152nd Airlift Wing, said in a statement on Friday. "We are more than capable and ready for the responsibility this mission brings." 

Source: http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2016/04/08/maffs-comes-nevada-help-battle-massive-wildfires/82805932/

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