Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel were activated across the Western United States this week to help fight wildfires raging from Hawaii to Oregon to Alaska.
The Pentagon announced Aug. 10 that around three dozen members of the Hawaii Air National Guard were activated to respond to the wildfires on the island of Maui, which have killed more than 50 people. That’s in addition to around 100 Army National Guard members and multiple helicopters from the Army and Navy.
Also on Aug. 10, Hawaii Air Guardsmen transported vehicles and personnel from the Honolulu Fire Department, along with disaster relief supplies, to Maui on a C-17 Globemaster III.
Hawaii Air National Guard loadmasters and maintenance specialists offload supplies from a C-17 Globemaster III, Aug. 10, 2023, at the Kahului Airport, Maui, Hawaii. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John Linzmeier
Honolulu Fire Department vehicles and personnel are secured onto a C-17 Globemaster III Aug. 10, 2023, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John Linzmeier
Honolulu Fire Department vehicles and personnel arrive at the Kahului Airport, Maui, Aug. 10, 2023, after being transported by a C-17 Globemaster III, operated by members of the 204th Airlift Squadron. Hawaii Air National Guard Airmen transported 37 members of the Honolulu Fire Department, four vehicles and disaster-relief cargo to aid communities impacted by several wildfires. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John Linzmeier
In Alaska, five firefighters from the Air National Guard’s 176th Civil Engineer Squadron deployed to Clear Space Force Station on Aug. 6 with a firetruck to support firefighting efforts in the area. There are several wildfires in the region covering thousands of acres.
And on the West Coast, two C-130s equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) arrived at Klamath Falls Airtanker Base, Ore., this week—one each from the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing in Colorado Springs, Colo.
MAFFS is a roll-on, roll-off system with a 3,000-gallon tank that can shoot water or fire retardant out the plane’s rear parachute door, emptying the tank in as little as six seconds. C-130s equipped with the system have become a regular fire-fighting fixture in the West in recent years, helping to battle large wildfires in California, Oregon, Colorado, and more.
“The MAFFS aircraft play a pivotal role in combating wildfires, and their swift deployment to affected areas allows us to respond rapidly to emerging fire incidents,” said Col. Barry Deibert, commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, in a release. “Our primary goal is to enhance aircraft operations, ensuring the protection of lives and property, and providing unwavering support to the multi-agency firefighting response effort.”
A 302nd Airlift Wing C-130H equipped with a U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Firefighting System unit prepares for takeoff at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 4, 2023. The aircraft went to support firefighting efforts near Klamath Falls, Oregon. United States Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton
302nd Airlift Wing Airmen test the functionality of a Modular Airborne Firefighting System unit loaded inside the cargo bay of a C-130H aircraft at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 2, 2023. The nozzle of the MAFFS unit was installed by a team of 302nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton
A 302nd Airlift Wing C-130H equipped with a U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Firefighting System unit taxis down the parking ramp with Pikes Peak in the distance at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 4, 2023. The aircraft went to support firefighting efforts near Klamath Falls, Oregon. United States Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton
302nd Airlift Wing Airmen test the functionality of a Modular Airborne Firefighting System unit loaded inside the cargo bay of a C-130H aircraft at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 2, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton
A U.S. Air National Guard C-130H Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipped aircraft assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing arrives at the Klamath Falls Airtanker, Oregon, Aug. 9, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Nieko Carzis
A U.S. Forest Service fixed-wing parking tender observes a MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) aircraft assigned to the 302nd Airlift Wing return to Klamath Falls Airtanker Base, Oregon, Aug. 8, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Nieko Carzis
U.S. Air National Guard Senior Airman Dante Stacy, a crew chief assigned to the 153rd Maintenence Squadron, attends to a C-130H MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) equipped aircraft at the Klamath Falls Airtanker Base, Oregon, Aug. 9, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Nieko Carzis
The National Interagency Fire Center requests the Air Force’s help with firefighting missions, and the U.S. Forest Service provides the MAFFS system and fire retardant. This marks the first deployment of the C-130-equipped MAFFS this wildfire season—later than previous years.
There are currently four wildfires raging in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest, covering hundreds of acres.
