The US Forest Service has requested two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 aircraft from Air Force Reserve Command’s 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson AFB, Colo., to help fight the nearby Black Forest. “We are ready to support containment efforts today if called upon,” said Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, 302nd AW chief of aerial firefighting, in the June 12 release. Once the launch order is received, the aircraft will fly support missions out of Peterson, states the release. On June 11, Peterson also opened an emergency evacuation shelter for any military or family members affected by the Black Forest or Royal Gorge fires, states a separate base release.
A new Navy missile could fill a long-range air-to-air need for the U.S. Air Force’s fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation fighters. The Navy’s portfolio acquisition executive for munitions posted information on the AIM-424 Long Range Air-to-Air Missile online on Aug. 22, the same day it unveiled the project at the service’s…