LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — A 302nd Airlift Wing C-130, equipped with the U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, lands here April 16, 2011, after conducting an aerial fire fighting mission over Coahuila, Mexico. Two C-130s from the 302nd AW at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., deployed here at the direction of U.S. Northern Command to support the Mexican government’s ongoing efforts against the Coahuila wildfires. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Blake Mize)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A 302nd Airlift Wing C-130 aircraft, equipped with the U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, taxis here in preparation to conduct an aerial fire fighting mission over Coahuila, Mexico. Two C-130s, deployed by U.S. Northern Command at the request of the Mexican government, dropped more than 12,000 gallons of fire suppressant today on the wildfires that have burned more than 245,000 acres in Coahuila. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Blake Mize)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — Maintenance crewmembers from the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., prepare a C-130 here April 16, 2011, to conduct an aerial fire fighting mission over Coahuila, Mexico. Two C-130s, deployed by U.S. Northern Command to Laughlin at the request of the Mexican government, dropped approximately 12,000 gallons of fire suppressant the same day on the wildfires that have burned more than 245,000 acres in Coahuila. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Blake Mize

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Air Force Reserve C-130s support fight against Mexican wildland fires

Published April 17, 2011
By U.S. Northern Command
Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Two Air Force Reserve Command C-130 aircraft conducted three aerial firefighting missions from here April 16 in support of the ongoing efforts to contain the wildland fires in the Mexico state of Coahuila.

The C-130s are from the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson AFB, Colo., and are under the command and control of U.S. Northern Command during this contingency. The aircraft dropped about 9,000 gallons of fire suppressant on the effected area, approximately 50 miles south of the Texas/Mexico border.

The aircraft are equipped with the U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, a self-contained aerial firefighting system designed for installation on the C-130 aircraft without major structural modifications to the aircraft.

Each MAFFS aircraft can drop up to 3,000 gallons of suppressant or fire retardant on each mission.

At the request of the Mexican government and U.S. Department of State, USNORTHCOM deployed the two C-130 aircraft to assist Mexico's fire fighting efforts against the wildfires that have burned more than 245,000 acres in Coahuila.