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Air Force Reserve C-130s fight fires in Idaho

  • Published
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Two Air Force Reserve Command C-130H3 aircraft and 29 reservists from here are helping to squelch forest fires in Idaho.

In the first three days since arriving Sept. 4, the specially equipped C-130s flew 14 sorties and dropped 36,500 gallons of fire retardant in support of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

The aircraft from Peterson’s 302nd Airlift Wing are equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, which allow them to drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant over an area one-quarter of a mile long and 60 feet wide. The 302nd AW aircraft and reservists replaced Air National Guard equipment and people who relocated to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

“We were surprised to get the call but no more surprised than anyone else with what’s happened,” said Maj. Steven Foss, MAFFS mission commander. “Morale is high, as always. We like to support the firefighters.”

The MAFFS crews coordinate with ground-based firefighters. The aircraft drop their retardant in front of the advancing fire, allowing the firefighters on the ground to clear a wider area or attack the fire from the sides.

A mixture of 80-85 percent water, 10-15 percent ammonium sulfate and red coloring are combined to create the retardant, also called slurry.

“We are on standby to hit a fire when it springs up, so we are fighting smaller fires before they get large,” said Major Foss. “We are able to respond quickly to protect lives and property.”

The deployed MAFFS crews include specially trained flight and maintenance people.

“We couldn’t do this mission without our maintenance people,” Major Foss said. “They work hard to keep the equipment working.” (AFRC News Service from a 302nd AW news release)