Colorado-based 302nd Airlift Wing test fires MAFFS wildland firefighting unit

Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules loadmasters fire the Modular Airborne Firefighting System II unit April 22 during the 302nd Airlift Wing's annual MAFFS wet fire test at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. The wing test fired the new "MAFFS II" system in preparation for the U.S. Forest Service's MAFFS certification week April 25-May 1 in Greenville, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier)

AF Reserve certifies for 2009 wildland fire season

A C-130 Hercules with the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing drops its water load as members of the media look on May 6 at the Tucson International Airport in Arizona. Tucson was the location for the 2009 Military Airborne Firefighting System, or 'MAFFS' certification week, held May 3-9. Members of both the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard certified on the MAFFS equipment and their C-130s, showcasing for U.S. Forest Service leadership and personnel their readiness in combating wildland fires nation-wide in the event Airmen are activated for the support. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Jody Ritchie)

Colorado AF Reservists answer call to provide assistance for Israel fires

Published Dec. 6, 2010
By Staff Reports
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The first of approximately 50 Air Force Reservists and two Modular Airborne Firefighting System equipped C-130 Hercules from Colorado's 302nd Airlift Wing will leave here Saturday, Dec. 4 to begin travel to Israel to provide aerial firefighting support. The MAFFS certified AF Reservists are expected to fly fire containment missions to aid in suppressing the largest wildland fire in Israel's history.

The Reserve Wing received the MAFFS alert order late Friday evening and was able to coordinate aircrews and equipment in less than 24 hours.

This is the fastest international response time for MAFFS and largest international deployment in the 38 year history of the MAFFS program.

"There is a great need in Israel and our specially trained MAFFS teams and C-130s will add to the critical aerial firefighting support needed," said Col. Jay Pittman, 302nd Airlift Wing commander. "The men and women of the 302nd Airlift Wing are expertly trained, highly-skilled and this is a testament to our ability to be ready to respond at a moment's notice."