Answering the call

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing received a request for assistance from the National Interagency Fire Center to provide one Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 and aircrew to support ongoing aerial fire fighting efforts in the western U.S.

Multiple geographic areas in the western U.S. are experiencing significant fire incidents requiring airtanker support. Elevated fire activity is expected to continue at least through the next 14 days in the California, Great Basin, Northern Rockies and Northwest Geographic Areas.

MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system, owned by the U.S. Forest Service, that can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than five seconds, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.