Reserve aerial firefighting aircraft return to Colorado

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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AFNS) --  A favorable fire outlook has prompted the U.S. Forest Service to allow the 302nd Airlift Wing's two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules to return from here to Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., July 27.

"The forest service is very comfortable with where they are, in terms of fire danger," said Col. Jerry Champlin, the 153rd Air Expeditionary Group commander. "There is some lightning in the long-term forecast, so we're going to keep California (Air National Guard members) here for now."

Under the modified request for assistance received July 27, the 146th Airlift Wing's two C-130s will remain activated and continue operating from Boise Air Terminal in Idaho.

Since being activated June 25, the MAFFS fleet has completed more than 327 drops, releasing more than 799,585 gallons of retardant on Rocky Mountain-area fires.

The MAFFS are operated by four military units: the 153rd Airlift Wing of the Wyoming Air National Guard; 146th Airlift Wing of the California Air National Guard; 145th Airlift Wing of the North Carolina Air National Guard; and the 302nd Airlift Wing of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command.

The MAFFS program is a joint effort between the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense. The forest service owns the MAFFS equipment and supplies the retardant. DOD provides the C-130 aircraft, pilots, and maintenance and support personnel to fly the mission.

MAFFS provides a surge capability that can be used to boost wildfire suppression efforts when commercial airtankers are fully committed or not readily available.

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.

(Courtesy of the 153 Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs.)