Reservists to deploy in support of fires in Colorado

Published June 12, 2013
By 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Two Air Force Reserve Command Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130s Hercules and aircrews from the 302nd Airlift Wing have been requested to support firefighting efforts for southern Colorado fires.

Air Force Reserve officials here received official word from the U.S. Forest Service on the night of June 11 and are scheduled to begin flying missions June 12.

The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., provides unique military support to firefighting efforts when requested by the National Interagency Fire Center and approved by the Secretary of Defense. These diverse mission assets are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to protect lives, property, critical infrastructure and natural resources, and can include, but are not limited to, MAFFS, military helicopters and ground forces capable of supporting the firefighting efforts.

"We are ready to support containment efforts today if called upon," said Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, 302nd Air Wing chief of aerial firefighting

Once the launch order is received, the MAFFS-equipped aircraft are expected to fly missions out of Peterson AFB and provide aerial firefighting support to the U.S. Forest Service, as directed by the incident commanders. Those missions were expected to begin as soon as noon.

The MAFFS units are owned by the U.S. Forest Service, one of several federal and state government agencies and organizations with roles and responsibilities in wildland fire suppression that comprise the National Interagency Fire Center based in Boise, Idaho.

MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system 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.