Wyoming Air National Guard and the U.S. Forest Service fight fires together

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming Information Now) – The 153rd Airlift Wing had a busy morning, loading C-130s to make sure we’re prepared for this 12 months’s fireplace season.

As soon as once more, the Wyoming Air Nationwide Guard is gearing as much as struggle one other busy forest fireplace season.

On Wednesday, the Wyoming Air Nationwide Guard and the U.S. Forest Companies work collectively to maneuver MAFs or the Modular Airborne Hearth Preventing System items.

The Wyoming 153rd Airlift Wing was getting planes loaded to fly the items to Idaho.

Their annual coaching week is ready to assist qualify crews for a 12 months of fireplace combating.

”It’s a really complicated and dynamic setting, and your crew useful resource administration needs to be on level. We don’t simply choose anybody. Solely the very best get to return and do this and they’re much more fine-tuned to take care of a number of the rigors of the MAFs mission,” mentioned SSgt. Anders Howard, C-130 Loadmaster-153rd Airlift Wing.

Guardsmen will probably be simulating fireplace runs as they maneuver planes and tanks that maintain 3,000 gallons of water or fireplace retardant.

“Together with the rigging, I actually get pleasure from that, and it’s enjoyable to exit to the drop zone and watch all the pieces work out completely,“ mentioned SrA. Kara Jakubsen, Rigman-153rd Airlift Wing.

Solely 4 C-130 items in the whole Airforce do that firefighting mission.

The mission required planes to fly 150 toes off the bottom in smokey and mountainous environments.

” Because the sword and defend for Wyoming, we’re ready for something. Proper now we’re making ready particularly for forest fireplace season, so our MAFs mission is a vital mission it’s essential to us each member out her is part of it,” mentioned SMSgt. Rob Trubia, Superintendent of Public Affairs, 153rd Airlift Wing.

A fundamental crew consists of 6 folks to work the tools and aircraft.

This squadron should log in a minimal of 750 flight hours earlier than they’re thought-about for this mission.

”This is likely one of the coolest missions that we do. It’s probably the most gratifying missions that we do. Final 12 months me and my crew supported the second-largest wildfire in California state historical past. It’s an unimaginable feeling to have the ability to do this and signify the state of Wyoming whereas had been doing it,” mentioned Howard.

It’s an essential and harmful mission, and we’re wishing all of them the very best.

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