US Northern Command officials decided last week to preposition four Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped aircraft in California in anticipation of possible new wildfire outbreaks as Santa Ana winds grew in force. NORTHCOM deployed two MAFFS aircraft from the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing and two from Air Force Reserve Command’s 302nd Airlift Wing in Colorado.
The Air Force wants to spend more than a half billion dollars through 2031 on a new protection system designed for cargo and refueling aircraft that features onboard sensors and weapons to track and take down enemy missiles and drones.