Wyoming Air Guard dropping hay for Colorado cattle

  • Published
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AFPN) --  The Wyoming Air National Guard arrived in Pueblo, Colo., on Jan. 3 to begin flying missions to drop hay to stranded Colorado cattle.

One C-130 Hercules and 10 Airmen are assisting the Colorado National Guard with feeding cattle in the southeastern corner of the state, near Lamar.

"Although the Colorado National Guard has been dropping hay to cattle via helicopter, our C-130 capabilities will provide a force multiplier for our neighbors to the south," said Maj. Gen. Ed Wright, Wyoming's adjutant general.

The C-130 can carry six to eight one-ton bales of hay per load. Each of the 4-foot by 8-foot bales are loaded onto a plywood sheet on the floor of the C-130 and dropped via the rear cargo door, normally from 500 feet above the ground depending on the terrain. The bales break apart on impact.

The Wyoming National Guard was tasked to help by Gov. Dave Freudenthal after his office received a request for assistance from the Colorado governor's office. The Wyoming unit was on site through Jan. 4.

"It is important for our states to work together in times like these," Freudenthal said. "I'm pleased to offer the assistance of the Wyoming Air Guard to the people of Colorado."

The Wyoming Air National Guard last dropped hay to stranded cattle in New Mexico from Dec. 30, 1997, to Jan. 5, 1998.

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