Forest Service’s professionalism in their ability to provide the quality and safety of our training to help ensure we are best prepared for the next major wildfire.” Forest Service, and this training and certification is so important to continuing our commitment to protecting lives and property against the devastating effects from wildfires.”īyrd added, “As aerial fire-fighting partners, we have overcome many obstacles and hardships together in the past. “We have such a great relationship with the U.S. Forest Service is invaluable, citing the organization’s rich history in aerial fire-fighting as the backbone to the partnership’s success. Curtis Byrd, a MAFFS pilot from the 115th, says the partnership with the U.S. Protecting California has always been a part of the 115 AS legacy, and it continues to grow those traditions with the new pilots attending this year’s training with the U.S. With a remarkable history serving California, the flying squadron’s legacy dates back to the early 1900’s when the squadron performed its first missions as an observation group at the Santa Monica airfield. The 146th Airlift Wing’s 115 AS has performed an integral part of the MAFFS mission since its inception. Forest Service this week.įor the 115th, it’s another successful year in the books in a long history of aerial fire-fighting for the squadron. Pilots and aircrew from the 115th Airlift Squadron (115 AS), based in Port Hueneme and the 152nd Airlift Wing from Reno, Nevada, are participating in the first round of certification training held by the U.S. “While one tanker fills up to run a practice sortie, the other tanker is tasked to put out the real fires,” she said. We are simultaneously conducting training and certification while supplementing our fleet to fight active fires burning in California right now.” “Fire season has started much earlier than in previous years. Forest Service a partnership she describes fondly for the members’ commitment and professionalism on both sides.Ĭhristensen also says this year’s certification and training is starting just in time. Forest Service Deputy Director for Fire Operations, this year marks the 48th anniversary of the MAFFS partnership between the Air National Guard and the U.S. The success of this training is built on the trusted partnerships between the fire-fighting agencies, having forged their tactical expertise suppressing wildfires since the early 1970’s.Īccording to Kim Christensen, U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and multiple other fire-fighting agencies across the United States are performing their annual certification training for the aerial fire-fighting mission with MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System), May 4-7. – In the dry heat of the high desert, the California and Nevada Air National Guard, the U.S.
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