Wyoming, Nevada Guard aircrews assist California firefighters Published Jan. 15, 2025 By Joseph Coslett 153rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AFNS) -- Three Wyoming Air National Guard C-130 Hercules equipped with the U.S. Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and associated personnel were activated by U.S. Northern Command to help fight Los Angeles area wildfires. Three C-130 aircraft were activated Jan. 9 and traveled to Channel Islands Air National Guard Base in California to assist the state’s firefighting apparatus. They are accompanied by a fourth C-130 support aircraft from a U.S. Air Force Reserve unit based in Colorado Springs and two C-130s from the Nevada Air National Guard. The California Air National Guard also has two C-130s assigned to the firefighting mission. The participation of the California, Wyoming and Nevada Air National Guard and Colorado Reserve unit is spearheaded by the U.S. Northern Command, working with the U.S. Forest Service. Airmen from the 152nd Maintenance and Logistics Readiness Squadron, Nevada Air National Guard, load the Modular Airborne Firefighting System tank into MAFFS 9 at the Nevada Air National Guard Base Jan. 10, 2024, to support wildland firefighting in Los Angeles. (U.S. Air Force National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing tow a C-130H Hercules aircraft out of a hangar in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jan. 10, 2025, in preparation to support firefighting efforts in the Los Angeles area. U.S. Northern Command activated three Wyoming Air National Guard C-130s equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and associated personnel to assist firefighting efforts in California. MAFFS, developed by the U.S. Forest Service, are portable fire-retardant delivery systems that convert C-130s into airtankers, capable of releasing up to 3,000 gallons of retardant in under five seconds. (U.S. Air Force National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Herold) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing load and install the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems on to a C-130H Hercules aircraft in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jan. 10, 2025, in preparation to support firefighting efforts in the Los Angeles area. U.S. Northern Command activated three Wyoming Air National Guard C-130s equipped with MAFFS and associated personnel to assist firefighting efforts in California. MAFFS, developed by the U.S. Forest Service, are portable fire-retardant delivery systems that convert C-130s into airtankers, capable of releasing up to 3,000 gallons of retardant in under five seconds. (U.S. Air Force National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Herold) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “It has been difficult to watch the absolute devastation of the wildfires in California,” said Col. Brian Diehl, 153rd Airlift Wing commander. “We’re honored to be able to participate in our nation’s efforts to combat these fires and return normalcy to the people and communities of Southern California, and as soon as possible.” The addition of the Wyoming and Nevada Air Guard personnel brought the total number of Guard members on the mission to more than 1,850 as of Monday morning. “The 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, is ready to assist in protecting the people, homes, and businesses in Southern California.,” said Col. Catherine Grush, 152nd Airlift Wing commander. “Californians are not only our neighbors but part of our family of Guardsmen and women, and we are honored to help assist with this effort.” The MAFFS-equipped aircraft are coming from the 153rd Airlift Wing and 187th Airlift Squadron in Wyoming, 146th Airlift Wing in California, 152nd Airlift Wing and 192nd Airlift Squadron in Nevada and the 302nd Airlift Wing and 731st Airlift Squadron in Colorado. MAFFS began in 1971 as a joint effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Defense to produce the equipment, training and procedures to integrate military air tankers into a national firefighting response. MAFFS are the U.S. Forest Service’s portable fire-retardant delivery systems and can be inserted into military C-130 aircraft without major structural modifications. They can discharge up to 3,000 gallons of retardant in less than 5 seconds, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide. 05:46 Two Air National Guard MAFFS equipped C-130's Hercules aircraft assigned to 152nd Airlift Wing, Reno Nev. and the 153rd Airlift Wing Cheyenne, Wyo. are tested to prepare for their fire-fighting mission on Channel Islands Air National Guard Base, Calif., Jan. 12, 2025. When requested by the National Interagency Fire Center and approved by the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Defense can provide unique wildland firefighting assets to the requesting agencies. As part of U.S. Northern Command's assigned Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission, these diverse mission assets are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to minimize human suffering, protect lives, property, critical infrastructure and natural and cultural resources, and can include, but are not limited to, Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System equipped-aircraft, military helicopters and ground forces capable of supporting the firefighting efforts. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Tech. Sgt. Nicole Wright) Editor’s note: Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber contributed to this story. U.S. Air Force Logo