An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

MAFFS fly 64 missions in support of California wildfires

  • Published
Six Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules planes equipped with the Military Airborne Firefighting System have flown 64 missions dropping fire retardant on wildfires in Southern California since Wednesday.

Requested by the local incident commander these aircraft flew from Channel Islands Air National Guard Base, Calif., dropping fire retardant against the Poomacha and other Southern California wildfires. The aircraft are under the operational control of Air Forces Northern and U.S. Northern Command. The six aircraft belong to three units: the 302nd Airlift Wing from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., the 153rd Airlift Wing from Cheyenne, Wyo., and the 145th Airlift Wing from Charlotte, N.C.

"Being able to bring this kind of Air Force capability to the table is what our Defense Support to Civil Authorities mission is about," said Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, AFNORTH commander. "The men and women of AFNORTH are working around the clock to help coordinate Air Force assets in support of firefighting efforts in Southern California."

For more information contact AFNORTH Public Affairs at 850-283-8657.